Aaron Rai produced a stunning final-round charge Sunday to win the PGA Championship, becoming the first English-born player in more than a century to lift the Wanamaker Trophy.
Rai, once a boy who dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver before choosing golf, began the decisive stretch three shots off the lead at Aronimink Golf Club. But the 31-year-old delivered one brilliant moment after another, closing with a 5-under 65 to finish at 9-under 271.
“To be here is outside my wildest imagination,” Rai said.
His round turned on the par-5 ninth, where he holed a 40-foot eagle putt during a run of seven straight one-putt greens. That surge carried him into contention, and he never looked back. On the 17th, with rivals still hoping for a late mistake, Rai rolled in a birdie putt from about 70 feet to seal the victory.
Rai won by three shots over 54-hole leader Alex Smalley and Jon Rahm. He became the first player from England to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919. He also joined two-time PGA champion Vijay Singh as one of the major winners of Indian heritage.
The final round began with a crowded leaderboard, as 22 players were within four shots of the lead, a PGA Championship record. Major champions, including Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith, and Justin Rose, were all in position at different stages, but none could match Rai’s closing brilliance.
McIlroy shot 69 but struggled on key scoring holes, playing the par 5s in even par for the week. Rahm posted a 68 but was slowed by two front-nine bogeys. Smalley lost the lead after a double bogey on the sixth before birdieing the 18th for a 70.
Justin Thomas briefly threatened after a closing 65, finishing at 5-under 275 alongside Ludvig Åberg and Matti Schmid. Smith, McIlroy, and Schauffele finished another shot behind.
Rai, known for his humility, two gloves, and iron head covers, is widely respected by fellow players. “You won’t find one person on the property who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said.
“Super pumped for him and his team,” Schauffele said. “All-world gentleman, no doubt.”
Rahm praised Rai’s character and performance. “Anybody that uses head covers in his irons because he coveted his irons when he was a kid so much that he wanted to respect the equipment and to still do it? Yeah, it shows a lot about a person,” Rahm said. “What he did today is nothing short of special.”
Rai’s victory brings a five-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open. He can also play the PGA Championship for life.
“Golf is an amazing game,” Rai said. “It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game.”
Nothing was given to Rai at Aronimink. He simply outplayed one of golf’s strongest fields.
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