Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship by 3 Shots, Claiming First English Wanamaker Title Since 1919
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 18
Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship by 3 Shots, Claiming First English Wanamaker Title Since 1919
46 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 18
Aaron Rai closed with a 65 and finished three shots clear at Aronimink, sealing the Wanamaker Trophy before Rory McIlroy had even finished his media duties.
The victory capped years of family sacrifice: Rai said his father quit work to back his golf, while his mother worked two jobs and his sister started working at 14.
Rai, 31, has built an unusually small support circle — no agent, no social media — leaning instead on childhood coaches, his wife Gaurika Bishnoi and a longtime sponsor he calls a second father.
Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele said Rai's relentless work ethic matched his reputation as one of the tour's nicest players, with Schauffele recalling 9 p.m. putting sessions followed by the gym.
Born in Wolverhampton to English-Indian and Indian-Kenyan family roots, Rai said he is proud to represent all three backgrounds as his steady rise reached its biggest milestone.
Was Rai's historic back-nine charge a masterclass in pressure play, or a collapse by his rivals on a brutal course?
After a 107-year wait, how did a two-gloved golfer from Wolverhampton conquer America's major?
He has worn two gloves since age eight. Is this quirky habit the secret to Aaron Rai's major-winning composure?