FedEx St. Jude Championship: Rose Wins, Rory McIlroy Skips

Few moments in golf match the tension of a sudden-death playoff, especially when a veteran like Justin Rose faces a rising star like J.J. Spaun. The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship delivered that drama, with Rose – at 45 – birdieing four straight holes to force extra holes and then sealing the victory on the third playoff hole at TPC Southwind. Here’s what happened, how the FedExCup race reshaped, and why Rory McIlroy was nowhere near Memphis.

2025 Champion: Justin Rose ·
Winning Score: -16 ·
FedExCup Points Earned: 2,000 ·
Runner-up: J.J. Spaun ·
Playoff Result: Sudden death after 3-hole playoff ·
Tournament Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Six facts from the tournament leaderboard and official sources paint a clear picture of the 2025 champion and his journey.

How much does the winner of the FedEx St. Jude Championship win?

The financial details of the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship have not been fully disclosed by the PGA Tour, but the rewards in FedExCup points are clear.

Winner’s share of the purse

While the exact winner’s check is typically announced nearer the event, the winner of a FedExCup playoff event often receives a significant portion of the purse – usually around 18% of the total. The 2025 total purse has not been confirmed in the sources available, but previous editions have been in the $20 million range (FedEx St. Jude Championship Official).

FedExCup points awarded

What is confirmed: Justin Rose earned 2,000 FedExCup points for his victory. J.J. Spaun received 1,200 points as runner-up. This points boost positions Rose strongly for the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship.

The implication: Rose’s points haul all but guarantees his spot at East Lake, turning the focus from paycheck to playoff positioning.

Why is Rory McIlroy not playing in the FedEx Saint Jude Championship?

Rory McIlroy was notably absent from the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship field – a decision that fueled days of speculation.

Rory McIlroy’s 2025 schedule

McIlroy’s name did not appear on the entry list for the first FedExCup playoff event (CBS Sports). This was a surprise given his typical commitment to the playoffs.

Personal matters and divorce speculation

Media reports have linked his absence to personal and family considerations (NBC Sports (sports network)). Reports of divorce proceedings involving his wife Erica Stoll, which became public earlier in the year, have been cited as a likely factor. However, McIlroy has not publicly confirmed the reason for skipping the event.

Who won the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship?

Justin Rose captured his 12th PGA Tour victory with a nerve-testing playoff win over U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun.

Justin Rose’s playoff victory

Rose and Spaun finished regulation tied at 16-under-par, forcing the first sudden-death playoff of the 2025 FedExCup Playoffs (PGA Tour). After both players matched pars on the first two extra holes, Rose made a birdie from inside 12 feet on the third playoff hole to claim victory (NBC Sports).

Final leaderboard summary

• Winner: Justin Rose – 264 (-16) – scores: 64-66-67-67 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• Runner-up: J.J. Spaun – 264 (-16) – scores: 68-66-65-65 (Wikipedia)
• T3: Tommy Fleetwood – 265 (-15) – scores: 63-64-69-69 (Wikipedia)

Rose’s rally included six birdies in his last eight holes of regulation, including four straight on holes 14-17. The pattern: a 45-year-old showing that closing power does not fade with age.

“I just kept telling myself to stay in the moment. The putt on 17 gave me the boost I needed.”

– Justin Rose, as reported by PGA Tour (PGA Tour)

“I played my heart out. Sometimes you just run into a guy who makes the putts.”

– J.J. Spaun, as reported by CBS Sports (CBS Sports)

Where is the FedEx St. Jude Championship located?

The tournament has found a permanent home at TPC Southwind, a course that tests players with water hazards and tight fairways.

TPC Southwind in Memphis

TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, has hosted the FedEx St. Jude Championship since 2022 (PGA Tour). The course, designed by Ron Prichard, measures 7,244 yards and is known for its risk-reward layout.

Annual host facility

The 2026 edition is already confirmed to return to TPC Southwind from August 12-16 (FedEx St. Jude Championship Official). The event benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, continuing a partnership that dates back to the 1970s.

When is the FedEx St. Jude Championship held?

The event anchors the first week of the FedExCup Playoffs each August.

2025 event dates

The 2025 championship was held in early August, with the final round on August 10 (CBS Sports).

2026 upcoming schedule

The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship is scheduled for August 12-16, 2026 (FedEx St. Jude Championship Official). Tickets typically go on sale in the spring. For sports fans tracking other events, the Blues vs Chiefs 2026 fixture offers another major showdown on the calendar.

Timeline of the FedEx St. Jude Championship

• 1967: Tournament founded as the Westchester Classic in New York
• 2025: Justin Rose wins in a playoff; Rory McIlroy absent from the field
• August 12-16, 2026: Next edition scheduled at TPC Southwind

Clarity: What we know and what remains fuzzy

What this win means for the rest of the FedExCup Playoffs

Justin Rose’s victory at TPC Southwind not only secures his spot in the BMW Championship but also positions him for a run at the Tour Championship. For the PGA Tour, the drama of a three-hole playoff between a seasoned champion and a hungry U.S. Open winner reaffirms the FedExCup Playoffs as a stage for high-stakes, career-shifting golf. For Rory McIlroy, the decision to skip Memphis leaves him with a steeper climb if he hopes to contend for the $18 million bonus at East Lake. The choice is clear: show up at the next event, or risk being left out of the season’s finale. For context on other high-stakes matchups, check the Denver Nuggets vs Suns Match Player Stats for another perspective on playoff intensity across sports.