Justin Rose’s brilliant prediction after round one of the FedEx St. Jude came true, as he went on to win the tournament.
Rose became the oldest ever winner on the PGA Tour in the modern era, winning the St. Jude Championship at 45. He defeated U.S. Open winner JJ Spaun in a thrilling three-hole playoff.
It’s been coming for Rose this season. He’s been inconsistent all season, but when he’s on his game, the Englishman has shown he can still compete with the world’s best. He lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy at the Masters, but this time took the win at TPC Southwind.
He showed incredible resilience in the Memphis heat to win the tournament, which is something he predicted after his round on Thursday.
Justin Rose predicted he would have an advantage at the end of the St. Jude Championship
Rose suffered from illness during the week’s build-up to the FedEx St. Jude. That meant he wasn’t able to take part in a practice round and was still under the weather on Thursday.
He still shot 64, and he predicted that missing the practice round could work to his benefit by the end of the week. He told reporters, “Maybe come Sunday it’s a good thing. Less time in the heat!”
While Tommy Fleetwood and world number one Scottie Scheffler struggled down the stretch, Rose thrived. He shot four birdies in the final five holes, then had two birdies in the playoff holes to win it.
The Memphis heat felt like 37° to the players, but as Rose predicted, he was unbothered. And his incredible performance also confirmed his participation in a certain competition taking place in September.
Justin Rose’s St. Jude Championship win confirms participation in the 2025 Ryder Cup
Rose’s win means he secured his spot on the European Ryder Cup team, alongside McIlroy and Fleetwood. He said on Thursday that his aim was to qualify in the top six automatically, and he’s done exactly that.
September sees an opportunity for Europe to double down on their heroic success in Rome two years ago. They can beat Team USA in America for the first time since 2012, and that’s something McIlroy is solely focused on. He skipped the FedEx St. Jude as he prepares for Bethpage Black in New York.
Rose’s recent form makes him a formidable opponent, and he showed his ability to perform under pressure in a hostile environment in Memphis. He faced chants of “USA” going up against American Spaun in the playoff, and played with steely composure.
Last time the Ryder Cup came to New York, Europe beat the U.S. in a dramatic comeback. Rose and Europe will be hoping for a repeat of that day.