(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
As the FedExCup Playoffs kick off, much of the focus is on players moving up the rankings and the perks that come with advancing. While these shifts dominate headlines, the importance of tournament wins and the exemptions they bring shouldn’t be overlooked.
Justin Rose claimed victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in a thrilling three-hole sudden-death playoff against J.J. Spaun. This win propelled Rose up 25 spots to fourth place in the FedExCup standings, securing his spot in the upcoming TOUR Championship. Rose will be aiming for his first TOUR Championship win and his second FedExCup title, having previously won in 2018.
This year, the TOUR Championship format changed — all players start even par, leveling the playing field for the FedExCup race. Rose’s victory also extends his PGA TOUR membership exemption through the 2027 season, covering his age-47 year. He already qualified for the Masters this year after a playoff loss earlier in 2025, but his St. Jude win also secures spots in the 2026 PLAYERS Championship and PGA Championship. Additionally, Rose, who entered Memphis ranked 20th in the Official World Golf Ranking, is set to climb comfortably into the top 10.
Rose’s win also guarantees entry into The Sentry Tournament of Champions to kick off the 2026 season. However, this was expected since he secured a place inside the top 50 in the FedExCup standings following the St. Jude Championship. This marks a key moment for all players inside the top 50 — they are now exempt into next season’s full series of Signature Events.
Attention now turns to this week’s BMW Championship, where the top 30 players at the end of the event will qualify for the TOUR Championship. These top 30 will also earn spots in the 2026 Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, assuming traditional qualifying criteria hold. Meanwhile, the winner at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, will still secure valuable exemptions.
With the FedExCup Playoffs underway, every tournament win and ranking jump can have a big impact on the road to golf’s biggest events.
