Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald, PGA Champion Aaron Rai and U.S. Senior Open champion Pádraig Harrington were all present to accept their respective awards, while reigning Race to Dubai champion Rory McIlroy was honoured with the Golf Writers’ Trophy in recognition of his Masters win in 2025 which saw him become only the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

The Northern Irishman – who was attending a family annual gala function with mum Rosie and dad Gerry – sent his thanks and appreciation for being so honoured for a third occasion in the past four years.

GAME’S BEST HONOURED AT ANNUAL @AGWgolfwriters AWARDS DINNER ..

Heading those recognised @McIlroyRory & accepting the ‘Golfer of the Year’ honour for a third occasion in four years

Joining Rors was new @PGAChampionship Aaron Rai, double @RyderCupEurope capt @LukeDonald… pic.twitter.com/nkGNg1Z4K7

— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) July 15, 2026

Luke Donald was given the Arnold Palmer Open Award, presented by Association chairman Philip Reid to the player who, in the view of the AGW Committee, has made particular efforts to assist the media with their coverage.

In conversation with former AGW Chairman Iain Carter again hosting the AGWs premier evening, Luke spoke of how he has always valued his relationship with the media, one which has blossomed through his successful captaincy of Team Europe at both Marco Simone in 2023 and Bethpage last year.

He also talked about his plans and preparations for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor next September where he will aim to become the first Captain from either side in the event’s 100 year history to win three matches in a row.

The AGW proudy honours Luke Donald at the annual dinner. Image – Dave Cannon

Aaron Rai was presented with the President’s Quaich by Association President Lewine Mair in honour of his stunning victory in the US PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania in May, and he spoke about the significant impact the win has had on his career.

Widely recognised as one of the quietest and most reserved men in golf, the 31 year old Englishman also revealed that he had indulged in a most unlike-Aaron Rai ‘moment’ in the aftermath of his triumph.

Driving back to his hotel with wife Gaurika after having undertaken all the ceremonial and media duties, Aaron admitted the enormity of what he had just achieved suddenly struck him, leading him to wind down his car window and scream at the top of his voice into the Pennsylvanian evening – “I’VE JUST WON THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP!!”

PGA Champion Aaron Rai honourd by the AGW for his stunning effort in capturing the 2026 PGA Championship. Image Dave Cannon

Pádraig Harrington was given the Michael Williams Trophy for Outstanding Services to Golf, awarded in memory of the former AGW chairman and Daily Telegraph golf correspondent whose son Roddy, a former Tour employee, made the presentation.

The 54-year-old Irishman’s recent win in the U.S. Senior Open was his fourth Major success in the ranks of the over-50s, which added to the three Major triumphs he achieved in his regular Tour career.

One of those was, of course, victory in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2008 where he battled brutal weather conditions that led players to describe it feeling more like January than July, and also led to his winning total being three over par 283.

Padraig Harrington honoured by the AGWs Michael Williams Services to Golf award. Presenting the award in proud son Roddy Williams. Image – Dave Cannon

With blistering sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20s forecast for the remainder of this week, conditions could not be more different for the field for this, the 154^th staging of The Open.

Like our own DP World Tour Dinner at Augusta Country Club on the Tuesday night of Masters week in Augusta, the AGW Annual Dinner has become a recognised part of Open Championship week for decades.

The Association itself was founded in 1938 when a group of 30 newspapermen and women, attending the Walker Cup in St Andrews, decided there was need for an organisation to ‘protect the interests of golf writers’.

Their main objective was to establish close liaison with the governing bodies and promoters of golf. Thus was born the Association of Golf Writers, now established and respected as the official negotiating body of the golfing press.

• Thanks to DP World Tour.