Aaron Rai of England clinched his first major title with a stunning victory at the US PGA Championship, ending a 107-year wait for an English winner of the event.
A Historic Victory at Aronimink
The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton emerged from a star-studded field at Aronimink Golf Club to become the first English champion since Jim Barnes in 1919. Rai's previous best major finish was 19th, but he delivered a sublime five-under-par 65 in the final round to win by three strokes.
Fifth European Winner
Rai, ranked 44th in the world, is only the fifth European to win the US PGA Championship. He collected the $3.69 million prize and the Wanamaker Trophy, adding to his three DP World Tour wins and one PGA Tour victory.
Thrilling Final Day
The final round featured multiple leaders on a congested leaderboard. Alex Smalley held a two-shot lead after Saturday, but 21 players were within four shots of his six-under-par total. Rai started two shots back alongside Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Nick Taylor, and Matti Schmid, with Rory McIlroy a further shot behind.
Key Moments
Justin Thomas set an early clubhouse target at five under with a brilliant 65. Smalley struggled with a double bogey at the sixth and a bogey at the eighth, dropping off the lead. Schmid took control with three early birdies but faltered later.
Rai made three bogeys and two birdies in his first eight holes, then ignited his round with a stunning eagle putt at the eighth to move within one of the lead. He birdied the 11th to take the outright lead as Schmid dropped a shot at the 10th.
Composed Finish
Rai remained calm, hitting fairways consistently. A brilliant up-and-down birdie from a bunker at the 13th put him two clear at seven under. He birdied the par-five 16th with a superb approach, then rolled in a 69-foot putt on the 17th to reach nine under, sparking huge celebrations.
Chasers Fall Short
Rory McIlroy, chasing a seventh major, made a birdie at the second but missed chances and bogeyed the 13th, finishing with a 69. Jon Rahm birdied the first two holes but turned at five under after two bogeys; he birdied the 15th to finish second at six under.
Rai's victory ends a decade of American dominance in the championship and marks a historic moment for English golf.
