St. Jude Championship Recap: Justin Rose Outduels J.J. Spaun in a Three-Hole Playoff

Dustin Berg • 8/12/2025

PGA

How Rose won it
Justin Rose erased a three-shot deficit over the final five holes, pouring in four straight birdies on the back nine and then burying a 10-footer on the third extra hole to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He closed with 67 and, at age 45, added another chapter to his late-career surge.

Spaun’s surge—and a Ryder Cup ticket
J.J. Spaun matched Rose punch-for-punch, including a 30-footer on the second playoff hole, but came up one putt shy. The silver lining: his runner-up finish locked an automatic U.S. Ryder Cup spot alongside Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.

Fleetwood’s tough finish
Tommy Fleetwood looked poised for his first PGA Tour win, leading late before a messy stretch at 16–18 left him one shot shy of the playoff (T-3 with Scottie Scheffler). Another close call in the U.S., but the form—and the pressure moments—keep coming.

Other storylines we loved

Scheffler’s machine keeps humming: another top-3 while playing with a stand-in caddie on Sunday.
Playoff theater: Spaun’s long make on the second extra hole, answered by Rose on the third—Memphis got a show.
Bubble drama: Big moves into the BMW included Rickie Fowler, Kurt Kitayama, Jhonattan Vegas, and J.T. Poston; Jordan Spieth finished 54th and missed the top-50 cut.
A milestone for Rose: multiple outlets noted he’s now the oldest European to win a PGA Tour event in the modern era—the perfect coda to a vintage close.

What it means for Pickr players
Memphis was a reminder that timing is everything in One & Done: saving a veteran star for the right course can beat chasing hot hands. And with Ryder Cup spots on the line, motivation spikes for certain players—use it.