FedEx St Jude and US Women’s Amateur Recap

Welcome back to Duffer’s Digest, your weekly roundup of the hottest stories in golf!

The past week delivered high drama on the PGA Tour and a thrilling showcase at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

From Justin Rose’s clutch playoff triumph to Megha Ganne’s breakout win at Bandon Dunes, let’s dive into the action!

• PGA Tour: Justin Rose Steals the Show at FedEx St. Jude Championship

• U.S. Women’s Amateur: Megha Ganne Shines at Bandon Dunes

• FedExCup Bubble Watch: Who’s In, Who’s Out?

• Preview: BMW Championship at Caves Valley

Tournament Recap 🏌️

PGA Tour: Justin Rose Steals the Show at FedEx St. Jude Championship

The FedExCup Playoffs kicked off with a nail-biter at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, where Justin Rose emerged victorious in a thrilling three-hole playoff against J.J. Spaun on August 10, 2025. Rose, at 45, became the oldest PGA Tour winner since Phil Mickelson’s 2021 PGA Championship triumph, showcasing his enduring class with a sensational final-round performance.

Rose trailed his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood by three shots with five holes to play but ignited the course with four consecutive birdies from holes 14-17, finishing with a 3-under 67 to tie Spaun at 16-under.

In the playoff, Rose’s resilience shone through. After both players parred the first extra hole (the 18th), Spaun dropped a 30-foot birdie bomb on the second playoff hole, only for Rose to answer with a clutch 7-footer to stay alive. On the third playoff hole, with a new pin placement, Rose drained an 11-foot birdie putt, while Spaun’s 7-footer slid by, sealing Rose’s 12th PGA Tour title and his first since the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “That was an amazing last 90 minutes,” Rose said. “When I bring my best, I know I’m good enough to compete against the best players in the world.”

Tommy Fleetwood, the 36-hole leader with rounds of 63 and 64, looked poised to finally claim his elusive first PGA Tour win. He held a two-shot lead on the back nine after a 33-foot birdie on the 12th and two more birdies by the 15th. But, as has become a recurring theme, Fleetwood faltered under pressure. A wayward chip on the par-5 16th led to a par, and a missed 7-foot par putt on the 17th resulted in a bogey.

Needing a birdie on the 18th to join the playoff, Fleetwood found a bunker and missed the green, carding a 69 to finish tied for third at 15-under. With 29 top-five finishes and no wins in 162 PGA Tour starts, Fleetwood’s collapse added another chapter to his frustrating narrative, though he remained optimistic: “I’m getting really close.”

Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, made a strong push for his fifth win of the season but was derailed by a bogey on the 15th after a wayward tee shot and a daring approach that went 37 yards long. Scheffler, playing without regular caddie Ted Scott due to a family emergency, posted a 67 to tie Fleetwood for third at 15-under, extending his streak of 12 consecutive top-eight finishes. “I hit a lot of good putts. Just hit a lot of lips,” Scheffler said, reflecting on his close call.

Noteworthy Stories ✍🏻

U.S. Women’s Amateur: Megha Ganne Shines at Bandon Dunes

The U.S. Women’s Amateur took center stage at the stunning Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon, delivering a week of breathtaking golf. The venue, known for its rugged coastal beauty, was a perfect backdrop, with TV coverage showcasing sweeping vistas of windswept dunes and the Pacific Ocean.

The broadcast earned praise for capturing the course’s raw charm, though the relentless wind posed a significant challenge, testing players’ adaptability and shot-shaping skills.

Megha Ganne, a 21-year-old rising star, emerged as the champion, cementing her status as a fitting winner at this iconic venue. Ganne navigated the windy conditions with poise, blending powerful ball-striking with a mature short game to claim the title. Her victory marks a significant milestone, as she became the first New Jersey native to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur since 1985. Ganne’s performance under pressure signals a bright future, with many eyeing her as a potential force on the LPGA Tour.

FedExCup Bubble Watch: Who’s In, Who’s Out? 🔎

The FedEx St. Jude Championship was a make-or-break moment for players vying for the top 50 in the FedExCup standings to advance to the BMW Championship. Several players made significant moves:

Bud Cauley: Starting at No. 53, Cauley’s tie for seventh (7-under) included a clutch bunker hole-out on the 17th, vaulting him to a projected 36th in the standings.

Kurt Kitayama: From No. 52, Kitayama’s blistering 7-under 63 in the second round propelled him to a tie for fifth (8-under), projecting him to 30th.

Rickie Fowler: After missing the playoffs last year, Fowler’s tie for sixth secured his spot in the top 50.

Jhonattan Vegas and J.T. Poston: Both moved into the top 50 with strong performances, ensuring their BMW Championship berths.

On the flip side, some big names saw their seasons end:

Jordan Spieth: Entering at No. 48, Spieth’s tie for 38th (1-under) included a water ball on the 18th, dropping him to a projected 54th, missing the BMW and likely ending his Ryder Cup hopes.

Chris Kirk: Despite a late birdie, Kirk’s bogey on the 15th left him at No. 51, just outside the cut.

Min Woo Lee and Jake Knapp: Lee fell from 50th to 56th (+8), and Knapp from 47th to 53rd (+2), ending their seasons.The top 50 now head to the BMW Championship, with the top 30 after that event advancing to the Tour Championship.

Preview: BMW Championship at Caves Valley 🧐

The PGA Tour heads to Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, for the BMW Championship (August 14-17, 2025). This second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs features the top 50 players, with only the top 30 advancing to the Tour Championship at East Lake.

Caves Valley, which hosted the event in 2021, underwent a dramatic renovation in 2023, completed in just 100 days. The course now boasts redesigned greens, restored bunkers, and a layout that emphasizes its original strategic design, promising a stern test for the field. Expect firm conditions and precise shot-making to be at a premium as players vie for those coveted Tour Championship spots.

Other Noteworthy Stories 📖

Steve Allan’s Comeback: On the PGA Tour Champions, Steve Allan staged a remarkable rally to win the Boeing Classic, a feel-good story for the veteran Aussie.

Ryder Cup Implications: Rose’s win boosted him to No. 2 in the European Ryder Cup standings, while Spaun locked up his first U.S. team appearance. Spieth’s slide to No. 54 in the FedExCup likely dims his Ryder Cup chances.

Golf Deal Of The Week 👀

Looking to upgrade your golf gear without feeling like you just triple-bogeyed your bank account?

Well, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up some of the best golf equipment deals to keep your game and budget on par.

From drivers that’ll add serious yardage to your swing, to shoes that feel like walking on freshly cut fairways, these finds are priced to please.

So before you spend big at the shop, take a swing at these sweet deals.

Trust us—your wallet will thank you.

Product: Peakpulse 650 Yards 6X Magnification Laser Golf Rangefinder w/ Slope

Current Price: $29

Product Details:

• Built-in slope technology provides you with an adjusted distance based on the hole's incline/decline and helps you select the correct way of the shot. High-precision rangefinder, error range is ±0.5 yards.

• Flag Acquisition with Pulse Vibration Technology: Flag Acquisition Technology makes it easy to lock the flag (even for those with shaky hands). It provides the golfer a short vibration to verify the laser has locked the flag, and you will get the right distance.

• Fast Focus System: You need to adjust the focus to shoot the target. The rangefinder will automatically shut down after 8 seconds to save battery power. And the rangefinder has a screw hole that will help you avoid errors in ranging caused by shaky hands.

• Tournament Legal: The "LE600AG" version ranges 6 to 650 yards, 6X Magnification, and features a slope switch function that lets you turn off the slope function anytime you want, making your tournament legal.

What’s Next? 👨🏻‍💻

The BMW Championship looms as a critical juncture in the FedExCup Playoffs, with careers and legacies on the line.

Will Rose carry his momentum?

Can Scheffler reclaim his dominance?

And will Fleetwood finally break through?

Meanwhile, the golf world buzzes with anticipation for the Tour Championship and the LPGA’s upcoming events.

Stay tuned to Duffer’s Digest for all the latest!

Swing easy, folks!

— The Duffer’s Crew