Aaron Rai clinched his first major title with a stunning victory at the PGA Championship, becoming the first English winner of the event in more than a century. The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton shot a sublime five-under 65 at Aronimink Golf Club to finish three shots clear of the field.
Rai, ranked 44th in the world, emerged from a chasing pack littered with major champions to secure the Wanamaker Trophy and the $3.69m (£2.76m) prize. His previous best finish at a major was 19th, and he is just the fifth European to win the PGA Championship.
The final day was a thrilling affair with three players holding the lead at various points. Alex Smalley had taken a two-shot lead into the final round after birdieing four of the last six holes on Saturday, but an extraordinary 21 players were within four shots of his six-under-par score. Rai, starting two back alongside Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg, made his move with a stunning eagle putt at the eighth hole.
Rai’s round was ignited by that eagle, which surged him to within one of the lead. He soon moved out in front after birdieing the 11th as Schmid dropped a shot. A majestic up-and-down birdie from the bunker at 13 took him two clear at seven under, and he attacked the par-five 16th with a stunning approach to set up another birdie. His best moment came at the 17th green, where he rolled in an astounding 69-foot putt to go to nine under, leaving the spectators in disbelief.
Rai becomes the first English winner since Jim Barnes, the inaugural champion when the tournament was match play, and ends a 10-year run of American dominance. The chasers had no answer, with Jon Rahm finishing second at six under after a valiant effort. Rory McIlroy, chasing a seventh major, could only manage a 69 and was unhappy with a spectator at the 16th hole.
