'Lucas Glover Clinches FedEx St. Jude Championship by Outdueling Patrick Cantlay on First Playoff Hole'

Lucas Glover wins FedEx St. Jude Championship in a one-hole playoff, narrowly beating Patrick Cantlay with an 8-foot par putt.

Lucas Glover emerged victorious in a thrilling one-hole playoff to secure the FedEx St. Jude Championship title, but it was far from an easy feat. After tying with Patrick Cantlay at the end of 72 holes, the 43-year-old Glover displayed nerves of steel as he sank an impressive 8-foot par putt. Cantlay, on the other hand, missed a crucial 20-foot, 3-inch putt for par that would have forced a second playoff hole. With this win, Glover becomes the first 54-hole leader over 40 years old to win a FedEx Cup Playoff event since Tiger Woods in 2018.

Glover, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and a former Clemson star, finished regulation alongside Cantlay at an impressive 15 under-par 265. Hot on their heels were Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, just one stroke behind. This victory not only extends Glover's scintillating streak but is also projected to catapult him from No. 49 in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings to the top five. In the past six weeks, Glover has recorded five top-six finishes, showcasing his exceptional form.

As the temperature soared to around 100 degrees on Sunday and the pressure mounted, Glover resorted to a clever tactic to cool his nerves. He immersed his hands in coolers filled with ice water before teeing off on the 17th and 18th holes. Although his birdie putt on the 18th fell just one foot short of securing the tournament, his tap-in for par ensured that the PGA Tour event in Memphis would head to a playoff for the third consecutive year.

Glover began the final round of the tournament at TPC Southwind with a comfortable lead of 14 under, but he faced fierce competition from 10 golfers within five strokes of his lead. Taylor Moore, his closest competitor, trailed by just one stroke. However, Moore struggled early on, carding four bogeys and only one birdie on the front nine, ultimately finishing with a 71. Cantlay, McIlroy, and Fleetwood launched impressive comebacks on Sunday, despite a 94-minute weather delay that interrupted play shortly after noon.

Glover's path to victory was not without its challenges. He found himself in a precarious situation on the 13th hole, hitting into the intermediate rough off the tee and subsequently finding the primary rough with his second shot. However, he displayed his resilience by sinking a remarkable 20.5-foot putt to salvage par. Glover temporarily lost his lead on the 14th hole when his tee shot landed in the water, but he managed to save bogey with an impressive 29-foot, 8-inch putt. Cantlay's back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes gave him a momentary advantage.

Reflecting on his triumph, Glover shared his mindset during an interview on CBS after the tournament. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and staying focused amidst the challenges. "It was just keep playing. Keep fighting," Glover remarked. "Stay close, get close. And I was fortunate to get in a playoff. I said yesterday the guns would be coming, and they came. I was just the last man standing this week."

Cantlay, having completed his round, spent some time in the clubhouse before heading out to the driving range to await the conclusion of the tournament. Shortly before 7 p.m., his tee shot unfortunately landed in the water after bouncing several times. In contrast, Glover's drive sailed 288 yards and found the middle of the fairway. With a 22-foot, 2-inch putt remaining, Glover showcased his composure and skill, ultimately securing the championship title.

Lucas Glover's victory at the FedEx St. Jude Championship not only highlights his exceptional talent and resilience but also solidifies his position as a top contender in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings. With his scorching streak of success, Glover has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional golf.

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