Aaron Rai was delighted to see his hard work pay off as he followed “idol” Tiger Woods in becoming a winner of the PGA Championship.
Rai’s three-stroke victory at Aronimink Golf Club made him just the second Englishman to claim the title at this major and the first in over a century, after Jim Barnes, who triumphed in 1916 and 1919.
The 31-year-old – the first non-American to triumph at the PGA Championship since Australia’s Jason Day in 2015 after a decade of home dominance – was a popular victor in Pennsylvania.
Xander Schauffle, the 2024 PGA champion, praised his work ethic while Jon Rahm, who finished in a share of second place on six under par, said he has only ever heard “good or great things” about Rai.
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The best of Rai’s Sunday in Pennsylvania as he shot a five-under 65 en route to winning the PGA Championship
Aaron Rai shot a five-under 65 to win the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
The man himself was just ecstatic to have followed in the footsteps of Woods – a four-time winner of the PGA Championship, in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007 – with Rai having watched footage of the 15-time major champion frequently as a child.
Speaking in his press conference, Rai told reporters: “I don’t think we still have the tapes, but we used to watch them a hell of a lot, probably two, three times a week, if not more.
“He’s obviously such an icon and such a huge figure in the game. At that point, this was someone who was super-human, who was very much someone that I really idolised.
“I just remember being in awe just watching all of the things that he could do so to have my name with him on this trophy is incredible really.”
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Watch Rai holed an enormous 70ft birdie at the 17th
‘I wouldn’t be here without my wife’
Rai – whose final-round, five-under 65 included a 70ft birdie putt at 17 and a 40ft eagle at the ninth – credited the upbringing he was given by his parents for his diligence and the personality traits that were praised so heavily by his peers after his win at Aronimink.
He then added: “Golf in itself is an extremely humbling game. There’s so much hard work and discipline that goes into acquiring the skills to become better.
“You also realise that nothing is ever given in this game at any point, whether it’s a tournament, a practice round, even away from a tournament week. All of these things have to be done diligently and require focus.
“There are a lot of guys who work extremely hard. The level on the PGA Tour is so strong, so it is a prerequisite of what is required to try and compete out here.
“It’s extremely affirming to know the things that we’re doing are working and leading to continued development within the game. Hopefully I can just continue to move along a pretty similar path moving forward.”
During a wide-ranging press conference, Rai also said he would not have been able to win his maiden major without the support of his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, herself a professional golfer.
He said: “She’s been incredible. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her.
“As a companion, as a friend, as someone I’m sharing my life with, but also as a real support system for my game. Her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself is absolutely invaluable.
“We had a conversation yesterday for probably 30 minutes in the car just before we got back to the hotel. Some of the things that she mentioned were really with me today.”
Rai not fuelled by potential Ryder Cup appearance
Rai has significantly boosted his hopes of making his Ryder Cup debut at Adare Manor in 2027 but is not getting carried away with what may lie ahead.
He added: “I try not to consciously focus on it too much. These things are always around, whether it’s Ryder Cup, the next event, the next major
“Those are things that you can never completely ignore but I try not to focus on them as real motivations to push me forward.
“I hope to continue to move in a pretty similar way in terms of practice, training, application towards the game, and we’ll see where that takes me.”
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Rai’s 40ft eagle putt at the ninth put him in contention at the turn
What they said: ‘Rai was basically faultless’
Sky Sports’ Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley:
“He is a chance at the US Open and the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale if the course is firm and fast.
“A lot of players, luck it a bit, crank it down. But you are going to come undone against a tactician who hits it on the fairway, never gets out of position and holes a few putts.
“Rai doesn’t really have a heartbeat. He goes about his business and he is an awesome player. He would be an awesome addition to the European Ryder Cup team.”
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Rai said victory at Aronimink was ‘a dream come true’
Sky Sports Golf’s David Howell:
“Aaron turned up at this wonderful course, played to his strengths and kept it on the straight and narrow.
“He ignored everyone else who was bombing it down there with driver. They did it with power and distance. He did it with accuracy.
“He putted brilliantly and his iron play was superb. He was basically faultless.”
Jon Rahm, who finished in a share of second place on six under par, three strokes behind Rai:
“I have heard absolutely nothing but good or great things about Aaron Rai. He’s been playing great golf.
“He’s a fantastic golfer. He’s been able to perform really well. What he did today is nothing short of special.”
