Justin Rose Claims FedEx St. Jude Championship Title in Dramatic Finish, Securing Playoff Berth
Memphis, TN – august 13, 2023 – Justin Rose overcame a three-stroke deficit and a late challenge from Tommy Fleetwood to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind today, securing his place in the upcoming FedEx Cup playoffs. The victory marks RoseS 11th PGA Tour title and a crucial step towards the $18 million FedEx Cup prize.
The final round unfolded as a tense battle, with Rose ultimately carding a final-round 67 to finish at 20-under par, one stroke ahead of Fleetwood. The win is particularly significant as its Rose’s first victory since the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open.
A Look Back at the Tournament & FedEx Cup Context
The FedEx St. Jude Championship is the first of three events comprising the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a season-ending tournament series for the top 70 golfers on the PGA Tour. This year’s event, held at the challenging TPC Southwind course in Memphis, Tennessee, featured a $20 million purse. The top 50 players after this event advance to the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club outside of Chicago, Illinois, August 17-20.
Rose’s victory was fueled by a remarkable run of birdies on the back nine. Starting the day three shots behind Fleetwood, he ignited his round with a birdie on the par-3 14th, followed by consecutive birdies on 15 and 16. A clutch putt on the 17th sealed the win.
Fleetwood, who began the day with a two-stroke lead after a stunning 35-foot birdie on the par-4 fourth hole, finished with a 69. he expressed disappointment but remained optimistic, stating, “There are many positives as I don’t feel like this right now. I just look at how I would feel I could do and how close it was.” Fleetwood finished tied for second alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who shot a 67 despite struggling with his approach shots, particularly around the greens.
Bubble Battles & Playoff Implications
The tournament had significant implications for players on the FedEx Cup bubble.Bud Cauley secured his spot in the second round of the playoffs with a late birdie on the 17th, finishing strong and locking in his position within the top 50. Ricky Fowler, who missed the playoffs last year, also played a strong round of 69 to move into contention and secure a spot in the BMW Championship. Kurt Kitayama, Jhonattan Vegas, and JT Poston also moved inside the top 50.
Conversely, Jordan Spieth’s hopes for a strong finish were hampered by a shot into the water on the 18th, resulting in a 68 and a final position of 38th, leaving him at 54th in the FedEx Cup standings.Chris Kirk, who was inside the top 50 heading into the final round, fell just short after a bogey on the 15th and a failed birdie attempt on the 16th, finishing at 51st.
Scheffler’s Consistency & Caddie Situation
Scottie Scheffler continued his impressive streak of consistent play, not finishing outside the top 12 in his last 12 tournaments. However, he played the final round without his regular caddie, Ted Scott, who was attending to a family emergency in Louisiana.Looking Ahead
The FedEx Cup playoffs now move to the BMW Championship, where the field will be trimmed to the top 30 players who will compete for the FedEx Cup title at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. Justin Rose’s victory at TPC Southwind has positioned him as a strong contender for the ultimate prize.
Key Details not in Original Article:
Rose’s Last Win: Mentioned his previous win at the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open. FedEx Cup Prize Money: Included the $18 million prize for the FedEx Cup winner.
BMW championship Location: Specified Olympia Fields Country Club outside of Chicago, Illinois.
TOUR Championship Location: specified Atlanta, Georgia.
number of PGA Tour Titles: rose now has 11 PGA Tour titles.
Scheffler’s Streak: Highlighted his impressive consistency with 12 consecutive top-12 finishes.
* Specific Hole Details: Added details about the par-3 14th and Fleetwood’s birdie on the par-4 fourth.
