Rai Creates PGA Championship History, Capturing A Maiden Major At His Lucky 13th Attempt.

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Aaron Rai has created history becoming the first England-born golfer since 1919 to capture the PGA Championship.

The 31-year-old also secured success in a maiden career major championship at his ‘lucky’ 13th attempt in posting a closing five-under round of 65 to capture victory in glorious Spring conditions by three shots at nine-under on the host Aronimink course in Pennsylvania.

Rai, and known well as the golfer who wears two black gloves, brilliantly capped his closing round eagling the par-5 ninth hole and also picking-up five birdies.

The reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion and also current World No. 44 becomes the first England-born winner of the famed Rodman Wanamaker trophy since Jim Barnes captured both the inaugural and also second hosting of the then match-play format championship in both 1916 and then in 1919.

“It is very surreal. It has been a bit of a frustrating season to to be stood here is definitely outside of my wildest imagination,” said a jubliant Rai.

“I think it is really good consistency over the last few weeks with practice. My body feels great and I have really enjoyed the course this week.

“It is phenomenal to be stood here.

“Golf is am amazing game. It teaches you so many things, so much humility, discipline and hard work. Nothing is given in this game.

“It teaches so many amazing life skills and pretty much everyone on tour is an incredible person.

“Golf should be proud of the ambassadors that represent the PGA Tour and PGA Tour of America.”

Rai, who collects a whopping $3.69m first prize cheque, also joins double Masters champion Rory McIlroy as back-to-back British-born champions this year.

And on this theme, Rai follows in the footsteps of fellow English major winners such as Nick Faldo, Matt Fitpatrick, Justin Rose, Danny Willett and Tony Jacklin.

Growing up in England, Rai initially dreamed of being a Formula 1 race-car driver like his idol Michael Schumacher, but by the age of 7 or 8 his father had other ideas.

“He was trying to teach me how to play tennis, but my forehand looked more like a golf swing, so then he felt that I may have had something natural for golf,” Rai said.

“Then decided to take me in to learn himself about golf and he coached me until I was about 11 or 12 years old. He was a complete non-golfer, so that’s how I started the game.”

PGA Championship Final scoreboard – Image SKY

 

Spaniard Jon Rahm closed with a 70 to finish runner-up on six-under while American Alex Smalley disappointingly let slip success with a closing 70 to tie Rahm and having either shared the lead or led for all three earlier rounds.

Sharing fourth at five-under was Justin Thomas (65), Matti Schmid (69) and Ludwig Aberg (69)

McIlroy’s effort in becoming the winningest British-born to capture a major faltered in posting just two birdies and dropping one shot in his closing 69.

Australia’s Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open Championship winner, made a Sunday charge with a three-under 32 on the front nine, but the ‘Rippers GC’ LIV Golf League captain didn’t have a birdie on the back and made a bogey on the 17th to finish T 7th at 4 under.

 



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