Aaron Rai made history on Sunday by becoming the first Englishman in over a century to win the PGA Championship. The 31-year-old, born in Wolverhampton, delivered an exceptional performance at Aronimink Golf Club, securing his first major title with a final round of 5-under 65.
Key Takeaways
Aaron Rai made history by becoming the first Englishman in over a century to win the PGA Championship. His victory included remarkable shots like a 40-foot eagle putt and a 70-foot birdie putt, finishing at 9-under 271.
- Aaron Rai won his first major title with a final round of 5-under 65
- He is the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship in over a century
- Rai's victory included notable shots like a 40-foot eagle putt and a 70-foot birdie putt
- He finished at 9-under 271, three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley
- Rai is also the first player of Indian heritage to capture a major championship
Rai's victory was highlighted by several remarkable shots, including a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth hole and a 70-foot birdie putt across the 17th green. His consistent play throughout the final round allowed him to pull away from a strong field that included Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Justin Rose. Rai finished at 9-under 271, three strokes ahead of Rahm and Alex Smalley.
Rai's win is not only historic for England but also significant as he becomes the first player of Indian heritage to capture a major championship. His journey to this victory has been marked by perseverance and dedication, overcoming challenges such as a neck injury that limited his practice time this year. Rai's humility and gracious personality have earned him respect from his peers, with McIlroy and Schauffele expressing their admiration for his achievement.
The PGA Championship featured a record 22 players within four shots of the lead going into the final round, showcasing the competitive nature of the event. Rai's victory stands out as a testament to his skill and mental fortitude under pressure. His win also marks the first time in the era of the four current major championships that the season's first two majors have been won by Europeans, following Rory McIlroy's Masters title retention last month.
Staff at Wolverhampton Grammar School, where Rai attended, described him as a 'very determined and very humble young lad.' According to his former headteacher Nic Anderson, Rai was always driven and hardworking. He recalled meeting the 10-year-old Rai during an interview for a school place: 'I met this little boy, aged 10, big smile on his face, clearly wanted to come to our school, really excited about his day ahead.' Rai's former head of games Kathy Dyer remembered him as quiet and determined. She noted that he was already playing golf daily when he joined the school in 2006.
Rai decided to pursue golf professionally at age 16 but returned to complete his A Level maths, ensuring he had 'something to fall back on.' The school plans to celebrate his achievement once exam season is over. Headteacher Anderson expressed pride in Rai's accomplishment and noted that while they couldn't gather all pupils during exams, they would mark his success when possible.
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