Justin Rose Shines at FedEx St. Jude Championship

Justin Rose is proving age is just a number as he excels in the FedExCup Playoffs at the age of 44. This year, he secured two top-10 finishes in majors, including a solid runner-up position at the Open Championship held at Royal Troon. Rose recently celebrated turning 44 on July 30, and took some time off while enjoying a birthday bash and catching a Justin Timberlake concert in Belgium.

After what he described as a tough grind this year, Rose took a few weeks to recharge. He played just a couple of rounds during his break but felt it was good prep for his return to competitive play. Despite missing the cut at the Wyndham Championship, those rounds helped him avoid an exhausting Sunday marathon after Tropical Storm Debbie disrupted the schedule.

Starting strong in Tennessee, Rose fired a bogey-free first round scoring a 66, which could elevate him from 55th to 37th place in the FedExCup standings. He showed off a stellar short game and only missed four fairways, crucial for the course at TPC Southwind.

To move on to the next round, players need to be among the top 50 in the FedExCup, and Rose is determined to improve his positioning. Notably, his decision to participate in a qualifier for the Open Championship paid off big time, boosting him up the rankings after his performance at Royal Troon.

Young professional Ben Griffin played alongside Rose, matching him with a 66. Griffin showed resilience after a double bogey at the par-3 14th hole, bouncing back beautifully with two consecutive birdies.

Chris Kirk is leading the tournament with a fantastic score of 64 and an ace at the same tricky par-3 hole. Others like Taylor Pendrith are making their presence known, looking to secure their spots for the BMW Championship and even aiming for the Presidents Cup.

Rounding out the competition, players like Will Chandler and Max McGreevy are carving out their own paths in the Korn Ferry Tour, with Chandler stepping up to take the lead after a fantastic first round.