England's Aaron Rai secured his first major championship title with a remarkable victory at the US PGA Championship, held at Aronimink Golf Club. The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton became the first English winner of the event in over a century, firing a sublime five-under-par 65 in the final round to finish three shots clear of the field.
A Historic Win for English Golf
Rai, ranked 44th in the world, entered the final day with three DP World Tour victories and a single PGA Tour win to his name. His previous best finish at a major was 19th, but he defied expectations to claim the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy and the $3.69 million (£2.76 million) prize. He is just the fifth European to win the US PGA Championship.
A Thrilling Final Round
The final day featured a congested leaderboard, with three players holding the lead at various points. Alex Smalley had taken a two-shot lead on Saturday evening after birdieing four of the last six holes, but 21 players were within four shots of his six-under-par score as the final round began. Rai started two shots back, alongside Ryder Cup stars Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg, Canada's Nick Taylor, and Germany's Matti Schmid, with Rory McIlroy a further shot behind.
Justin Thomas charged from level par to set the clubhouse lead at five under with a brilliant 65, putting pressure on the leaders. Smalley, playing in the final group with Schmid, struggled early, double-bogeying the sixth and bogeying the eighth to drop three off the lead. Schmid had taken the lead with three birdies in his first six holes.
McIlroy, chasing a seventh major and a second consecutive win, birdied the second but then made par on the next 10 holes. A bogey at the 13th set him back, though a birdie at the 14th kept him in contention. However, Rai was making his move.
Rai's Stunning Comeback
Rai had three bogeys and two birdies in his first eight holes, but his round ignited with a stunning eagle putt at the eighth, moving him within one of the lead. He birdied the 11th to take the lead as Schmid dropped a shot at the 10th. Rai remained composed, consistently finding fairways, and a magnificent up-and-down birdie from a bunker at the 13th put him two clear at seven under with five holes to play.
Schmid birdied the 14th to close within one, but Rai attacked the par-five 16th with a superb approach, setting up another birdie. He saved his best for the 17th, rolling in an astounding 69-foot putt to reach nine under. The crowd erupted as Rai looked on in disbelief.
He became the first English winner since the inaugural champion, Jim Barnes, when the tournament was match play, ending a 10-year run of American dominance. The chasers had no answer. McIlroy, unhappy with a spectator at the 16th, could only make par on the final two holes to shoot 69. Rahm, who birdied the first two holes, turned at five under but had two bogeys. He birdied the 15th to finish second at six under.
