Justin Rose trumps JJ Spaun in playoff to win PGA St. Jude Championship

Justin Rose produced a stunning late charge, reeling off four consecutive birdies on the back nine to force a playoff, then sinking another on the third extra hole to defeat JJ Spaun and capture the St. Jude Championship in Memphis on Sunday, while Tommy Fleetwood’s PGA Tour frustrations continued.

The 2013 US Open champion caught fire with six birdies in his final eight holes, including the playoff. Rose began the day one stroke off the lead but slipped to two-over through nine holes.



After a bogey at 12, his chances looked slim, yet a 15-foot birdie at 14 sparked a run. He followed with birdies at 15, 16, and a curling 22-footer at 17. A 13-foot winning attempt at the last narrowly missed, leaving him tied with Spaun at 16-under 264.

Spaun, the reigning US Open champion, fired a five-under 65, highlighted by back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17, including a 20-footer, to earn his place in the playoff.


The first two trips down the 18th produced matching pars and then matching birdies. On the third play of the hole, Rose holed an 11-footer, while Spaun missed from seven feet, handing Rose his 12th PGA Tour title and first since Pebble Beach in 2023.

Fleetwood, chasing his maiden PGA Tour victory in his 162nd start, led by two with three holes remaining but bogeyed 17 after a poor approach and putt, signing for a 69 and tying for third with Scottie Scheffler at 15-under.


World No. 1 Scheffler, a four-time winner in 2025 including two majors, was tied for the lead through 13 holes before settling for a 67. He remains atop the FedExCup playoff standings heading into next week’s BMW Championship.