The FedEx St. Jude Championship got the 2025 FedEx Cup Playoffs off to a thrilling start at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. In the final round, Justin Rose staged a masterful comeback, birdieing four straight holes (Nos. 14–17) to force a tie and eventually beat U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun in a three-hole sudden-death playoff. This victory marked his first PGA Tour title since early 2023 and his 12th overall, reinforcing Rose’s enduring competitive edge.
The tournament drew attention not just for its suspense but for its massive $20 million purse, with Rose walking away with $3.6 million. Spaun collected about $2.16 million for his runner-up finish. The stakes were high, with FedEx Cup points dictating who would advance to the next playoff stage and shape season-long rewards.Â
Tommy Fleetwood, who began the day holding a one-shot advantage, faltered late—dropping a crucial bogey on 17 and ultimately missing the playoff, finishing tied for third. This remains emblematic of Fleetwood’s frustrating trend—numerous top-10s, but still no PGA Tour victory. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, held firm and also tied third. His consistency now anchors his position heading into the BMW Championship.
Players like Rickie Fowler surged, finishing tied for sixth and vaulting from 64th to 48th in the FedEx Cup standings—securing BMW Championship entry and stronger positioning for signature events next year. Conversely, Jordan Spieth, Aldrich Potgieter, and Min Woo Lee fell outside the top 50 cutoff—ending their postseason hopes abruptly. These dramatic leaderboard shifts underscore the intensity and high stakes of one of golf’s signature events.
At age 45, Justin Rose showed that experience and composure still matter. With six birdies in his final eight holes and nerves of steel in the playoff, he delivered one of the most memorable finishes of the season. He now re-enters conversation for Ryder Cup selection and carries momentum into the BMW Championship. His resilience mirrors the Harlestons spirit—classic reliability, timeless performance, and understated excellence.