Justin Rose captured the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs, defeating U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun on the third sudden-death hole to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis. The Englishman, 45, closed regulation at 16-under-par 264 after birdieing four of his last five holes, then sealed his 12th PGA Tour title with an 11-foot birdie putt on the decisive playoff hole. Rose began the day three strokes behind overnight leader Tommy Fleetwood, who was seeking his first PGA Tour victory. Fleetwood extended his advantage to two shots with three holes to play, but a bogey at the 17th and a missed birdie chance at the last left him at 15-under alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Spaun posted a closing 65, highlighted by a 20-foot birdie at the 17th, to force extra holes before falling to Rose. The victory earns Rose $3.6 million from the tournament’s $20 million purse and 2,000 FedExCup points, moving him inside the top five of the season standings and virtually confirming a seventh Ryder Cup appearance next month. Spaun collected $2.17 million, while Fleetwood and Scheffler shared third-place money of $1.16 million each. Movement around the FedExCup bubble added further drama. Rickie Fowler climbed to 48th to secure a berth in next week’s BMW Championship, whereas Jordan Spieth’s closing bogey left him 54th and eliminated from the Playoffs. The top 50 players will reconvene at Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland on 14–17 August as the chase for the Tour Championship continues.