Justin Rose mounts a memorable comeback! He was three back with five holes to play but made up that deficit over the last stretch to secure the win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. The 45-year-old golfer won by defeating J.J. Spaun in a dramatic three-hole playoff. With this victory, he marked his 24th win globally and regained a top 10 position in the world rankings.
The thrilling finale unfolded at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, where Rose closed with an impressive 3-under 67, demonstrating a strong finish. He instinctually produced a glorious stretch of six straight birdies that underlined his class. Perhaps even more than his leadership, his performance in high-pressure situations was the story to watch.
As the final act unfolded, with only five holes left to play, Rose was three shots off his compatriot Tommy Fleetwood’s lead. And then he turned the game on its head, as he carded four straight birdies. The defining shot was on the 17th hole with a 20-foot putt that landed him in a share of the lead. But this momentum was taken all the way into the playoff, where his will to win became even stronger.
In that playoff against Spaun, Rose made two key birdies that sealed his win. He even sunk a 30-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole, showcasing his clutch potential when it matters most. He finished off his round with a remarkable 10-foot birdie on the 18th hole in the 3rd playoff round. This incredible shot helped him survive a dramatic finish against Spaun for the title.
“An amazing last 90 minutes.” – Justin Rose
Rose’s finish was impressive with six birdies in his final eight holes. He nearly locked up the victory in regulation but just missed a 13-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole to win it outright. His exceptional play earned him the championship and reestablished his position among the top players in golf.
This victory has huge ramifications for Rose’s career, as this victory earns him a berth in yet another Ryder Cup. His accomplishments over the course of the tournament have brought new life to debates about his potential to make a mark on the international stage.
J.J. Spaun, who ultimately did not make it through the playoff, felt a source of pride and positivity about where he stood in his game. Yet, despite all of that, he wrote candidly about how furious the competition is and his own shortcomings.
“I hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn’t meant to be.” – J.J. Spaun
Tommy Fleetwood, who was in first place for most of the tournament, sounded conflicted when discussing the positive (and negative) aspects of his performance. He was just as quick to acknowledge his bright spots, outplaying the competition even if he didn’t leave with a victory.
“There’s a lot of positives to take, as much as I won’t feel like that right now. I’m just going to look at what I feel like I could have done and how close it was.” – Tommy Fleetwood
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