Justin Rose has emerged victorious at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, clinching the title after a tense, three-hole sudden-death playoff against J.J. Spaun. The win marks a significant moment in the first leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, held at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, where players battled for a share of a massive $20 million purse.
The final round on Sunday, August 10, delivered a thrilling conclusion. Tommy Fleetwood, who entered the day with a one-shot lead and the hope of capturing his first PGA Tour title, saw his chances diminish with a costly bogey on the 17th hole. In a dramatic turn, Rose capitalized on the opportunity, sinking a birdie on the same hole to pull into a tie with Spaun, who had already posted a formidable clubhouse lead at 16-under par. Rose had a 13-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to win in regulation but narrowly missed, setting the stage for a playoff. After both players made par on the first playoff hole and matching birdies on the second, Rose sealed the victory on their third trip down the 18th.
Fleetwood and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was also in contention throughout the day, ultimately finished in a tie for third place at 15-under.
The victory was a lucrative one for the English veteran, who claimed the top prize of $3.6 million. According to reports from NBC Sports, Spaun’s impressive performance earned him a runner-up check of $2.16 million, while Scheffler and Fleetwood each took home $1,360,000 for their third-place finish. As a no-cut event, all 69 players who competed this week received a share of the prize money, with even the last-place finisher collecting over $40,000.
However, the stakes in Memphis extended far beyond the prize money. The tournament served as a critical gateway in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, trimming the field from the top 70 eligible players to the top 50 who will advance to next week’s BMW Championship. Securing a spot in the top 50 is a significant achievement, as it guarantees entry into all eight of the PGA Tour’s lucrative Signature Events for the 2026 season, a major incentive for players who were on the bubble.
The pressure was palpable for many notable names fighting to keep their seasons alive. Players like Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, and Wyndham Clark were all subjects of the intense “bubble watch” as they vied to finish inside the crucial top-50 cutoff in the FedEx Cup standings.
With his victory, Rose not only adds another prestigious title to his career but also positions himself strongly for the remainder of the playoffs. The focus now shifts to the BMW Championship, where the pressure will intensify as the top 50 players battle for a coveted spot in the season-ending Tour Championship and a chance at the $100 million FedEx Cup bonus pool.
