Justin Rose captured another PGA Tour victory on Sunday, edging J.J. Spaun in a tense playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. Starting the final round three shots off the lead, the 45-year-old Englishman carded a 3-under 67 to pull even with Spaun at 14 under par. The two then battled through three sudden-death holes, with Rose sealing the win by sinking a decisive birdie putt while Spaun’s matching attempt slid just wide.
The victory marks Rose’s 12th PGA Tour title and makes him the oldest European winner in Tour history during the modern era. Along with the $3.6 million winner’s check, Rose vaulted back into the world’s top 10 and boosted his chances of making the upcoming Ryder Cup team. For Spaun, it was a bittersweet finish — the U.S. Open champion had led for much of the week but was unable to close out the win. Rose credited his composure and recent adjustments to his short game for helping him stay patient under pressure and close out the playoff.
