Aaron Rai produced a composed final round at Aronimink Golf Club to win the PGA Championship on Sunday. The 31-year-old closed with a 5-under 65 for a 9-under 271 total. He became the first English-born winner since Jim Barnes in 1919, and a major champion of Indian heritage.
Rai started the day three shots behind but surged around the turn. He holed a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth during a run of seven straight one-putts. A 70-foot birdie putt across the 17th green sealed a three-shot win over Alex Smalley and Jon Rahm.
The championship drew a strong field of major winners. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith and Justin Rose all challenged before late errors. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler tied for 14th. The event
set a PGA Championship record, with 22 players within four shots entering the final round.
Final round scores and positions
| Player | Score | Round | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rai | -5 | 65 | 271 (-9) |
| Jon Rahm | -2 | 68 | 274 (-6) |
| Alex Smalley | E | 70 | 274 (-6) |
| Justin Thomas | -5 | 65 | 275 (-5) |
| Matti Schmid | -1 | 69 | 275 (-5) |
Rai's crucial stretch on Aronimink's demanding middle holes
Rai's seven straight one-putts included a short bogey putt on the par-3 eighth. He then hit a 5-wood into the ninth green to set up eagle. He saved par with a 10-foot putt at the 10th, then hit wedge to 4 feet on the 11th for birdie.
The 292-yard par-4 13th troubled several contenders, including McIlroy, Schauffele and Nick Taylor. Rai found a bunker but blasted to 6 feet and made birdie. He became the first player all week to reach 7 under, and never looked back from that point.
Mixed fortunes for McIlroy, Rahm, Smith and Scheffler
McIlroy closed with a 69 but played all par 5s in level par for the week and bogeyed the short par-4 13th. He also reacted to a fan's "USA shout on the 16th. Rahm signed for 68, slowed by two front-nine bogeys and one back-nine birdie.
Smalley, the 54-hole leader, double bogeyed the sixth and shot 70, despite a birdie at the 18th. Justin Thomas carded 65, saving par with a 16-foot putt on the last to move within one stroke while Rai was on the second fairway. His challenge ended as Rai surged clear.
Matti Schmid finished with a 69 to tie for fourth at 5-under 275. His 5-foot par putt on the 18th earned a place in his first Masters next year. Cameron Smith posted a 68 and did not drop a shot until the 17th. Scheffler's 69 included two missed 3-foot par putts.
Rai joined two-time PGA champion Vijay Singh as a major winner of Indian heritage. He wears two gloves, a habit from cold English winters. He still uses plastic iron covers because his father once cleaned cherished clubs with baby oil. Jon Rahm praised that detail as showing "a lot about a person.
Locker room reaction and Rai's perspective on golf
Rai is seen as humble and gracious by fellow players. McIlroy said, "You won't find one person on the property who's not happy for him. Schauffele called him "super pumped for him and his team. Rahm said, "What he did today is nothing short of special.
The win gives Rai a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour. He gains entries into the Masters, US Open and British Open, plus lifetime PGA Championship status. Reflecting, he said, "Golf is an amazing game. It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline.
