MEMPHIS, Tenn. \u2014 Justin Rose made up a three-shot deficit over the last five holes against hard-luck Tommy Fleetwood, and then made two birdies in a playoff against U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun to win the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Rose delivered another sterling performance, closing with a 3-under 67 for his 24th victory worldwide that puts him back into the top 10 in the world at age 45 and secures his spot in another Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
He birdied four straight holes, and narrowly missed a 13-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at the TPC Southwind for a win in regulation. Rose wound up making six birdies over the last eight holes he played, the last one a 10-foot putt on the 18th on the third playoff hole.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn amazing last 90 minutes,\u201d Rose said. \u201cI played unbelievable golf down the stretch. When I bring my best, I know I\u2019m good enough to play and to compete, and to now win against the best players in the world. Very gratifying day for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sports Roundup<\/p>\n
Spaun showed plenty of moxie on his own. He made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to pull into a share of the lead and closed with a 65. He also made a 30-foot birdie putt on the second extra hole with Rose in tight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hung in there the best I could, and he beat me to the hole first. Just wasn\u2019t meant to be,\u201d said Spaun, who locked up a spot in his first Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
Lost in his remarkable rally was another setback for Fleetwood, who has become a sympathetic figure in golf for close calls and his graciousness in defeat. This looked to be his time to add a PGA Tour title to his wins around the world, especially when his 35-foot birdie on the 12th was the first of three birdies in a four-hole stretch that gave him a two-shot lead with three to play.<\/p>\n
But he hit pitch through the green on the par-5 16th and had to scramble for par. He was between clubs on the 17th, hit a poor shot and a worse par attempt from 7 feet for bogey. Needing birdie on the 18th to have a chance, he drove into a bunker.<\/p>\n
Fleetwood shot 69 and finished one shot out of the playoff along with Scottie Scheffler, who grazed the edge of so many putts on the back nine and had to settle a 67.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of positives to take, as much as I won\u2019t feel like that right now. I\u2019m just going to look at what I feel like I could have done and how close it was,\u201d Fleetwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll these experiences and these close calls, like I say, there\u2019s no point in allowing them to have a negative effect on what happens next. What would be the point?\u201d he said. \u201cIt was a great week. I did a ton of good stuff, and as disappointed as I am, I have to try to find the strength to make it all a positive experience and hopefully next time go again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scheffler has not finished worse than eighth place in his last 12 tournaments dating to March. He played the final round without his regular caddie, Ted Scott<\/a>, who had an emergency family situation back home in Louisiana.<\/p>\n