Aaron Rai achieved his first major championship victory at the PGA Championship with a remarkable turnaround in his final round. After a steady start, Rai ignited his game over the last ten holes, carding a 6-under par performance that included an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole and four birdies. A notable 70-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole sealed his dominance.
This pivotal putt marked the culmination of Rai’s maiden major win, establishing a three-shot lead over two-time major champion Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley. His performance was four shots better than two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas and five strokes ahead of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Cameron Smith.
The tournament saw a record 22 players within four shots of the lead entering the final round, highlighting the intense competition at this major championship. Rai acknowledged the close field but emphasized the necessity of a strong final round. “Regardless of how bunched that it was, it still required a really good, strong round of golf,” Rai commented. His final-round 5-under-par 65 secured a total score of 9-under 271 at Aronimink Golf Club.
The challenging course demanded precision, and Rai’s focus remained on his game and processes. “The course really 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 run through some good processes and to just kind of see where that put me during the round.”
Rai’s Remarkable Final Ten Holes
Prior to Rai’s surge, Justin Thomas held the clubhouse lead for almost four hours after his impressive 65. However, the conditions on the course became increasingly difficult as the day progressed.
Rai’s performance was a masterclass. On the 589-yard ninth hole, he struck a 5-wood from 260 yards to within 40 feet of the pin and then sank the lengthy putt for an eagle. “It landed just short of the green, and came up very, very well,” Rai described the approach shot. Regarding the putt, he added, “I was just trying to focus on speed. 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 continued his strong play, birdying four of his final eight holes. He seized the lead for good on the short par-4 13th hole after a precise drive into a greenside bunker, followed by a 40-yard shot to within seven feet of the pin and another successful birdie putt.
At 31 years old, Rai became the first English-born player in over a century to win the Wanamaker Trophy, the prestigious prize for the PGA Championship. The last English winner was Jim Barnes, who claimed the title in 1916 and 1919.
“I’m extremely, extremely proud,” Rai stated. “There’s a lot of 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 person that’s the first one to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of.”
Strong Performances from Rahm and Smalley
Jon Rahm achieved his best major championship finish since joining LIV Golf, carding a 68 in the final round despite a couple of bogeys on the front nine and a single birdie on the back.
Alex Smalley, who started the final day with a two-shot lead, faltered with a double bogey on the sixth hole. However, he demonstrated resilience with an eagle on the 16th and a birdie on the 18th to finish at even par for the day. This runner-up finish guarantees him spots in the next four major championships, including the Masters.
Rory McIlroy closed with a 69 but played the par-5 holes at even for the week and struggled with a bogey on the reachable par-4 13th.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler’s bid for another title was hampered by missed putts, including a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole and two short par putts on the back nine, resulting in a final-round 69 and a tie for 14th. This marks his first finish outside the top 10 in a major since the 2024 U.S. Open.
Scheffler is set to defend his title at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson, a tournament he won wire-to-wire by eight shots last year.
