Aaron Rai drained a series of increasingly long putts to write himself into the history books and win his first major title Sunday (May 17, 2026) at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
Rai made a 40-foot eagle putt at the par-5 ninth hole to cap an uneven first nine, then pulled away with four birdies on the back and converted a remarkable 68 1/2-foot birdie at the par-3 17th to remove any doubt.
Rai, 31, is the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919. Americans had claimed this major each of the last 10 years.
Rai’s 5-under-par 65 put him 9-under 271 and three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm of Spain (68) and Alex Smalley. He had started the day in a five-way tie for second behind Smalley.
The first English major winner since Matt Fitzpatrick took the 2022 U.S. Open title, Rai was one of several less familiar names on the 54-hole leaderboard. But he was ranked No. 44 in the world entering the week, with one win on the PGA Tour and three more on the DP World Tour for his career.
Aaron Rai, of England, hits his approach shot from the 18th fairway during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club
| Photo Credit:
AP
He previously had not finished better than T19 at a major.
Indian roots
Aaron Rai grew up hardworking and humble in central England, family examples developing the patterns that led to his victory on Sunday at the PGA Championship.
The 31-year-old became the first English golfer since Jim Barnes in 1919 to capture the PGA crown, making four birdies and an eagle in the last 10 holes to produce a four-stroke victory at Aronimink.
“It definitely feels like a journey,” Rai said. “So much goes into it, from being a junior golfer to developing the game to have aspirations of turning professional. Then you realize once you turn professional how good some of these guys are.”
Aaron Rai of England and caddie Jason Timmis shake hands on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Rai’s father is of Indian ancestry while his mother has Kenyan heritage and growing up in England has made him a mix of all their cultures.
“I’m very proud to be from England. That’s where I grew up. That’s where a lot of my family still live,” Rai said.
“I’m very proud of India and Kenya as well. My mom still spends a lot of time in Kenya. Both of my sets of grandparents from my mom and dad’s side were from India.
“I’m very proud of representing all three really. I don’t know what all that represents or how it’s going to come across. All I can say is I’m very proud to be a mix of all of them.”
Staying humble
He learned about being a good man and humble from family and golf.
“A lot of that has come from upbringing,” Rai said. “Golf was always a very big part of my life from a very young age, but my mom and my siblings were very fast to reinforce the importance of just being a good person and trying to do the right things.
“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.”
Work ethic was instilled by family as well.
“My dad instilled the importance of work and dedication and trying to consistently build just good, strong habits around the game,” Rai said.
“My mom worked extremely hard away from golf. She worked a couple of jobs at one time and she did a lot of work around the house.
“There was a lot of consistent messaging of hard work. It has been something I’ve just grown up with and I guess as I’ve got older, something that I’ve really valued and tried to continue to move forward with.”
‘Real support system’
Rai’s wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, is a pro golfer from India whose advice in a car ride to the hotel lingered with him on the course.
Aaron Rai, of England, and wife Gaurika Bishnoi hold the Wanamaker Trophy
| Photo Credit:
AP
“She has been incredible,” Rai said. “I wouldn’t be here without her, both 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.”
Asked how they will celebrate his victory, she said, “He’ll probably have Chipotle,” and he added, “I do love Chipotle on the road, so we’ll probably go to Chipotle.”
And when it comes to golf bragging rights, Rai admitted, “We practice quite a lot together. Honestly she beats me more times than I beat her.”
Praise from peers
Rivals saluted Rai’s work ethic and character.
“Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you,” said two-time major winner Xander Schauffele. “Aaron is always there. He’s always in the gym. He’s always on the range.
“I think that’s what it’s about to be a major champion. You puts the work in when nobody’s looking.”
Rai relished the praise.
“There are a lot of guys who work extremely hard,” Rai said. “That’s a prerequisite of what’s just required to try and compete out here.
“Very reaffirming to know the things we’re doing are working and leading to continued development.”
Published – May 18, 2026 01:01 pm IST
