Luke Donald reacts on social media after Justin Rose wins the FedEx St Jude Championship over J.J. Spaun

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Justin Rose has all but secured his spot at the Ryder Cup after winning the FedEx St. Jude Championship on Sunday at TPC Southwind.

In truth, entering into the FedEx Cup playoffs, it was hard to see Europe heading to Bethpage without Justin Rose. The Englishman played such an important role in Rome two years ago.

Crucially, he is also one of the few players available to Luke Donald with experience of winning a Ryder Cup on American soil.

Rose’s win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship moved the 45-year-old up to second in the qualification standings, with only Rory McIlroy ahead of him. McIlroy has already officially secured his spot in New York in September.

Luke Donald reacts as Justin Rose wins the FedEx St. Jude Championship

It was a remarkable performance from Rose on Sunday at TPC Southwind. He birdied four of the last five holes in regulation play to force his way into a playoff with J.J. Spaun.

And he did not put a foot wrong in the playoff – though he did nearly end up with his feet in the water after his first tee shot almost rolled back into the hazard.

When Spaun missed a birdie putt on the third extra hole, Rose had secured his 12th PGA Tour win.

Rose has now taken to Instagram to comment on his win, and among those to reply was Luke Donald.

The European skipper simply wrote: ‘That was a clinic down the stretch JR. So So impressive‘.

Playoff between Justin Rose and J.J. Spaun at TPC Southwind whets the appetite for the Ryder Cup

It was nearly impossible not to look ahead to the Ryder Cup as the first playoff event came down to Rose and Spaun.

The pair were almost certainly going to be involved at Bethpage – Spaun’s Ryder Cup spot has now been confirmed. And the sudden death playoff meant that there was a matchplay feel.

Spaun hit a stunning approach into the third playoff hole, with Rose slightly further away after his second shot.

But it is funny how often matchplay seems to be decided by those moments when the player putting first gets the opportunity to find the bottom of the cup and pile the pressure on their opponent. The closer approach suddenly leaves a much longer looking putt.

And that proved to be the case with Spaun missing his effort after Rose had holed his birdie putt. Luke Donald will feel that Europe have managed to strike an early psychological blow with Rose’s victory.