Justin Rose claimed his first PGA Tour victory in over two years with a dramatic play-off win over JJ Spaun at the St Jude Championship in Memphis.
The 45-year-old Englishman, who had fallen short in a sudden-death play-off against Rory McIlroy at this year’s Masters, held his nerve at TPC Southwind to clinch his 12th career PGA Tour title.
After both players parred the first play-off hole and birdied the second, Rose sealed victory on the third trip down the 18th with another birdie. Spaun, unable to match him, handed Rose the win.
It marks Rose’s first title since the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February 2023 and makes him the first player in his 40s to win on Tour this season. He trailed by one overnight but surged into contention with a run of four consecutive birdies from the 14th. A near miss on the final green saw him finish with a three-under-par 67.
“It’s a very gratifying day for me and a lot of hard work coming to fruition,” Rose said. “I never stopped believing. When I bring my best I know I’m good enough to compete – and now to win – against the best players in the world.”
Spaun, the US Open champion, shot 65 for a second straight round to earn his play-off spot, helped by late birdies on the 16th and 17th.
There was disappointment for Tommy Fleetwood, who had gone into the final round with a one-stroke lead in his 162nd PGA Tour start. Despite a late surge with three birdies in four holes from the 12th, a bogey on the 17th saw him fall one shot short.
“I’m obviously disappointed,” said Fleetwood. “I was right in there with a chance and it’s hard. Justin and JJ played great, and I just didn’t do enough.”
Fleetwood’s wait for a maiden PGA Tour title continues, despite now having 29 top-five finishes – 11 more than any other player without a win in the past 40 years. He also holds the record for the highest PGA Tour earnings without a victory, having surpassed $31.4m (£23.3m) following his runner-up finish at the Travelers Championship earlier this season.
World number one Scottie Scheffler finished tied for third alongside Fleetwood.
The top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings after Sunday’s round now progress to the BMW Championship, the second leg of the PGA Tour’s play-off series.