1/5
Aug. 14 (UPI) — Lucas Glover, despite facing tough competition on the golf course, described the battle as not only against his fellow players, but also against his swing during his triumph in the FedEx Cup playoffs at the 2023 St. Jude Championship.
Glover finished with a 1-under par 69, including two birdies and a bogey, in his final 18 holes at TPC Southwind in Memphis. Tied with Patrick Cantlay at 15-under after 72 holes, Glover prevailed in a playoff against the world’s No. 4 player, claiming a prize of $3.6 million.
“It was a fight,” Glover told reporters. “A physical fight. I struggled with my swing and didn’t hit the ball particularly well. However, my short game saved me. That’s why I’m standing here now, because of my chipping and putting on Saturday and Sunday.”
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood tied for third place, while Taylor Moore finished fifth. Corey Conners, Adam Schenk, Cam Davis, Sungjae Im, Russell Henley, Jordan Spieth, and Max Homa also secured spots within the Top 10.
Spieth took the lead in the first round with a remarkable 7-under 63 on Thursday in Memphis. Glover posted a solid 66 in his first 18 holes. He followed it up with an impressive 6-under 64 in the second round to maintain the lead going into Saturday. Another 66 in the third round set him up with a 1-stroke advantage over Taylor Moore on Sunday.
Fleetwood started Sunday trailing Glover by two strokes, while Spieth and Homa were three strokes behind. Cantlay, with six birdies and no bogeys in his final 18 holes, forced the playoff with a 6-under 64, the best score of the final round. McIlroy also had a bogey-free round and recorded five birdies for a final-round score of 65.
Jon Rahm, the leader in the FedEx Cup standings, finished tied for 37th with a 5-under performance over 72 holes. Scottie Scheffler, currently second in the standings, tied for 31st after shooting 6-under. McIlroy holds the third spot in the FedEx Cup standings.
Glover, with his victory, jumped from No. 112 to No. 4 in the rankings. Cantlay, Homa, Viktor Hovland, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Fleetwood complete the Top 10 in the FedEx Cup standings.
The three-tournament playoff will continue with the BMW Championship, taking place from Thursday to Sunday at the North Course at Olympia Fields in Olympia Fields, Illinois.
