Lucas Glover wins FedEx St. Jude Championship in playoff against Patrick Cantlay

Lucas Glover wins FedEx St. Jude Championship in one-hole playoff against Patrick Cantlay, becoming the first 54-hole leader over 40 to win since Tiger Woods in 2018.

Lucas Glover emerged victorious in a thrilling battle at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, outlasting a formidable group of competitors in a one-hole playoff on Sunday. The 43-year-old golfer demonstrated his mettle by sinking an impressive 8-foot par putt, while his counterpart, Patrick Cantlay, narrowly missed a 20-foot, 3-inch putt for par that would have forced a second playoff hole. Glover's triumph makes him the first golfer over the age of 40 to win a FedEx Cup Playoff event as the 54-hole leader since Tiger Woods accomplished the feat in 2018.

Glover, hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, and a former standout at Clemson University, concluded regulation play tied with Cantlay at 15 under-par 265. Not far behind were Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, who finished just one stroke back at 14 under-par. This victory not only extends Glover's scorching streak but also propels him from his previous position at No. 49 in the FedEx Cup Playoff standings into the top five. Over the past six weeks, Glover has achieved an impressive five top-six finishes, solidifying his standing as a formidable force on the PGA Tour.

The intense heat, with a heat index reaching 100 degrees, and mounting pressure added to the drama of the final round. To combat the conditions, Glover resorted to soaking 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 clinching the tournament, his subsequent tap-in for par set the stage for yet another playoff at the TPC Southwind, marking the third consecutive PGA Tour event in Memphis to require extra holes.

Entering the final round, Glover held a one-stroke lead at 14 under-par, with ten competitors within striking distance. Taylor Moore posed the closest threat, trailing by just one stroke. However, Moore's chances faded early on as he struggled with four bogeys and only one birdie on the front nine, ultimately carding a 71. Cantlay, McIlroy, and Fleetwood made impressive charges on Sunday, despite a 94-minute weather delay in the early afternoon.

Glover's path to victory was not without its challenges. He encountered trouble on the 13th hole, hitting into the intermediate rough off the tee and subsequently finding the primary rough with his second shot. However, he showcased his resilience by sinking a remarkable 20.5-foot putt to salvage a crucial par. On the 14th hole, Glover faltered, hitting into the water off the tee. Nevertheless, he demonstrated his putting prowess once again by sinking a 29-foot, 8-inch putt to save bogey. Cantlay's consecutive birdies on the 15th and 16th holes momentarily gave him the upper hand.

Reflecting on his triumph, Glover expressed his determination to keep fighting and stay in contention throughout the tournament. In an interview with CBS, he remarked, "It was just keep playing. Keep fighting. 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."

As Cantlay completed his round, he and Glover found themselves tied, leading to a brief interlude in the clubhouse before Cantlay headed out to the driving range to await the conclusion of the round. Just before 7 p.m., Cantlay's tee shot ended up in the water after bouncing several times. In contrast, Glover's drive landed perfectly in the middle of the fairway. With a 22-foot, 2-inch putt remaining, Glover had a chance to secure the victory.

For inquiries, reach out to sports writer Jason Munz via email at [email protected] or on Twitter @munzly.

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