Aaron Rai staged a remarkable comeback at the PGA Championship, transforming a 1-over-par start through his first eight holes into a commanding victory. He surged ahead in the latter stages of the championship, showcasing an exceptional performance on one of the most competitive major leaderboards in recent memory.
Rai’s final 10 holes were nothing short of spectacular, with a score of 6 under par. This included an impressive eagle on the par-5 ninth hole and four birdies. Notably, he sank a stunning 70-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, a shot that sealed his triumph.
This pivotal putt marked the culmination of Rai’s first major championship win. The victory gave him a three-shot advantage over seasoned major champions Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley. He finished four shots ahead of two-time PGA Champion Justin Thomas and five shots clear of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Cameron Smith, who tied for seventh.
The PGA Championship set a new record with 22 players within four shots of the lead entering the final round, highlighting the intense competition.
“Obviously, I was aware of how closely bunched the field was, but I believe that regardless of how tight it was, a really strong round of golf was still necessary,” stated Rai. His final round of 5-under-par 65 brought his total to 9-under 271 at Aronimink Golf Club, located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“The course was incredibly demanding this week, and it was very unforgiving. My focus remained squarely on the course, my game, and consistently executing my processes to see where that would lead me during the round.”
Rai’s Explosive Finish
Justin Thomas held the clubhouse lead for nearly four hours after carding a 65, before the course became more challenging under the hot sun.
What followed was a masterclass from golf’s newest major champion.
After reaching the 589-yard ninth hole and hitting his second shot, a 5-wood from 260 yards, to within 40 feet of the flag, Rai drained the putt for an eagle.
“It landed just short of the green and rolled out nicely,” Rai commented. Regarding the putt, he added, “I was simply concentrating on the speed. I hit a great putt with excellent speed, and we were fortunate it went in. That certainly helped to steer things in a more positive direction.”
Rai went on to birdie four of his final eight holes, taking a lead he would not relinquish on the 299-yard par-4 13th. After driving into a greenside bunker, he hit a 40-yard shot to seven feet and converted the birdie putt.
At 31 years old, Rai became the first English-born player in over a century to win the Wanamaker Trophy. The last to achieve this was Jim Barnes, who won the PGA Championship in 1916 and 1919.
“I am extremely, incredibly proud,” Rai expressed. “There have been so many outstanding and historic English players over the past hundred years who have achieved remarkable things and had phenomenal careers. To win this event and to be the first from England to do so in a long time is an incredible accomplishment and something to be immensely proud of.”
Strong Performances from Rahm and Smalley
Jon Rahm achieved his best major finish since joining LIV Golf at the end of 2023. His progress was hampered by two bogeys on the front nine, and he managed only one birdie on the back nine, finishing with a 68.
Alex Smalley started the final day with a two-shot lead but lost it due to a double bogey on the sixth hole. He fought back with an eagle on the 16th and a birdie on the 18th to finish the day at even par. This runner-up finish secures his participation in the next four majors, including the Masters.
Rory McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par-5s in even par for the week and made a bogey on the reachable par-4 13th.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole and twice missed 3-foot par putts on the back nine during his closing round of 69. He tied for 14th, marking his first finish outside the top 10 in a major since the 2024 U.S. Open.
Scheffler is set to defend his title this week at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson, held outside Dallas, Texas. He led wire-to-wire in the previous year’s event, winning by eight shots.
English Translation
Aaron Rai was progressing steadily in the PGA Championship, standing at 1-over-par through his first eight holes. However, he then found his rhythm and dominated one of the most impressive and tightly contested leaderboards at a major championship.
Rai played his final 10 holes at 6 under par, which included an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole and four birdies. Among these was an improbable 70-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
That putt served as the exclamation point on Rai’s first major title. It secured him a three-shot victory over two-time major champion Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley. He finished four shots better than two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas and five shots ahead of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Cameron Smith, who tied for seventh.
The 22 players within four shots of the lead heading into the final round set a PGA Championship record.
“Obviously, I was aware that many players were relatively close, but I believe that regardless of how bunched it was, it still required a really good, strong round of golf,” said Rai, whose final-round 5-under-par 65 placed him at 9-under 271 at Aronimink Golf Club, located outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“The course truly demanded it this week, and it was very punishing. I think the focus was very much on the course, on the game, on continuing to implement good processes, and simply seeing where that would place me during the round.”
Rai Catches Fire Over His Last 10 Holes
Justin Thomas held the clubhouse lead for nearly four hours after shooting a 65, before the course became more challenging under a hot sun.
What followed was a master class from golf’s newest major champion.
After hitting a second shot with a 5-wood from 260 yards to 40 feet on the 589-yard ninth hole, Rai drained the putt for an eagle.
“It landed just short of the green and came up very, very well,” Rai said, adding that on the putt, “I was just trying to focus on speed. I hit a great putt, great speed, and we were lucky it went in. That definitely helped to get things moving in a better direction.”
Rai birdied four of his last eight holes, taking the lead for good on the 299-yard par-4 13th after driving into a greenside bunker, hitting a 40-yard shot to seven feet, and making the birdie putt.
Rai, 31, became the first English-born player in over a century to win the Wanamaker Trophy. The last was Jim Barnes, who won the PGA in 1916 and 1919.
“I’m extremely, extremely proud,” Rai said. “There have been many incredible and historic English players over those hundred years who have gone on to achieve incredible things and had phenomenal careers, but to win this event and then to be the first person to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of.”
A Good Tournament for Rahm and Smalley
Rahm had his best major finish since joining LIV Golf at the end of 2023. He was slowed by a pair of bogeys on the front nine and managed only one birdie on the back nine for a 68.
Smalley began the final day with a two-shot lead but lost it with an unfortunate double bogey on the sixth hole. He rallied with an eagle at the 16th and a birdie at the 18th to finish the day at even par. The runner-up finish grants him entry into the next four majors, including the Masters.
McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par-5s in even for the week and made a bogey on the reachable par-4 13th.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole and twice missed 3-foot par putts on the back nine in his closing round of 69, tying for 14th. This was his first time finishing outside the top 10 at a major since the 2024 U.S. Open.
Scheffler is defending his title this week at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson outside Dallas, Texas. He won wire-to-wire last year by eight shots.
