Justin Rose produced a sensational finish at the FedEx St Jude Championship on Sunday, carding six birdies in his final eight holes to win a playoff against US Open champion JJ Spaun. The 45-year-old Englishman became the oldest European to win on the PGA Tour in the modern era, storming back from two shots behind with four birdies from the 14th hole to force extra holes.
In a dramatic playoff, Rose and Spaun traded birdies over three extra holes. After Spaun holed a monster putt at the second playoff hole, Rose responded with a 14-foot birdie at the third, and when Spaun missed his attempt, Rose claimed the title. “That was an amazing last 90 minutes. I never stopped believing,” said Rose, who had lost his previous four playoffs.
Tommy Fleetwood endured more heartbreak, missing a chance to end his PGA Tour victory drought at the 162nd attempt. The Ryder Cup teammate of Rose birdied three holes in a row to lead by two, but faltered with a weak par putt at the 17th and a bogey at the last, finishing one shot outside the playoff. “There’s a lot of positives to take, but it won’t feel like that right now,” Fleetwood said.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, playing without his regular caddie due to a family emergency, finished a shot out of the playoff after two birdies in his final three holes. Jordan Spieth dropped out of the top 50 in FedEx Cup rankings and missed next week’s event, likely ending his Ryder Cup hopes.
