From the Ranks to Victory: Justin Rose made an unexpected leap to victory at the TPC Southwind, clinching the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs during the 2025 St. Jude Championship. He overcame a tightly contested field to defeat U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun in a thrilling playoff.
Final Round Performance: Rose concluded the tournament at 16 under, after shooting a final-round score of 67. He was in a challenging position, trailing 54-hole leader Tommy Fleetwood by three strokes midway through his back nine. However, he rallied with four birdies in his final five holes, bringing him in line with Spaun’s clubhouse score.
Crucial Moments: Rose sank birdie putts from distances of 15, 9, 6, and 23 feet during this crucial stretch, narrowly missing another from 13 feet at the 72nd hole. He redeemed himself on the third playoff hole, making a birdie from just under 12 feet to clinch the title.
Historic Win: At 45, Rose has become the oldest PGA Tour winner since Phil Mickelson’s 2021 victory at the PGA Championship and the oldest in the postseason since Vijay Singh. This marked his first win since the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, propelling him into the top five of the FedEx Cup standings and securing a spot at the Tour Championship, which he last attended in 2019.
Notable Contenders: The leaderboard featured several remarkable players at the 2025 St. Jude Championship. Tommy Fleetwood and Scottie Scheffler both finished tied for third at 15 under after facing tense moments yet again. Fleetwood was disappointed, reflecting on missed opportunities, while Scheffler navigated the final round without his usual caddie due to a family emergency.
Other Highlights: Rickie Fowler’s performance was noteworthy, as he turned his season around from a challenging position to qualifying for the BMW Championship. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele struggled to find his rhythm, leaving him in a precarious position for the upcoming championship—well outside the qualifying top 30.
Season’s End for Some: Jordan Spieth concluded his season at the St. Jude Championship, slipping from 48th to outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings. This likely diminishes his chances for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Although he played competently following wrist surgery, the lack of standout moments defined his season as he fell short of advancing to the BMW Championship for the second consecutive year.
