Aaron Rai’s career changed forever on Sunday when he completed a masterful, and nearly flawless, fourth round to win the PGA Championship. It is the first major win of his career, and just his second PGA win of any kind.
He finished the week 9-under and improved his score with every round.
His 65 on Sunday was his best round of the tournament.
He began with a 70 on Thursday, finished with a 69 on Friday, put himself in serious contention on Saturday with a 67 and then clinched the win on Sunday with his 65.
Aaron Rai came out of nowhere to win PGA Championship
When the week began, it was not a stretch to say that Rai was not on anybody’s radar to win this. At least not near the top of the list.
Rory McIlroy would have been in the discussion, as he usually tends to be. Scottie Scheffler is the world’s No. 1 golfer and, again, would have been in that discussion. Jordan Spieth had eyes on him as he went for the career Grand Slam.
In the end, it was none of them.
It was Rai that rose above and outlasted them all.
Considering where he was coming into the week, it is simply a completely unexpected win.
He was the 44th-ranked world golfer on the PGA Tour when the tournament began.
He had won just a single PGA event in his career, which he won when he took the Wyndham Championship back in 2024.
His previous best finish at any major championship was a tie for 19th, something he did at the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship one time each.
Even deep into play on Sunday, the odds seemed to be stacked against him. He was only minus-3 after eight holes and had what seemed to be a minuscule chance to win. But over the last 10 holes, he had an eagle, four birdies and no bogeys to pull ahead and distance himself from the pack.
Now he has a major win and a moment that could jumpstart his career and help him become a star on the tour.
The defining moment for him on Sunday came on the 17th green when he drilled one of the best putts of the weekend.