Aaron Rai’s unbelievable work ethic has been praised by Rory McIlroy and fellow PGA Championship opponents following his breakthrough main victory on Sunday.
Aaron Rai celebrates with The Wanamaker Trophy after successful the 2026 PGA Championship (Picture: Jamie Squire, Getty Photos)
Each participant on the PGA Championship shall be completely delighted that Aaron Rai has claimed the title. That is the view of Rory McIlroy, who was stuffed with reward for the Englishman following his maiden main victory.
Rai made historical past as the primary PGA Championship winner to enhance his rating in each spherical, delivering a shocking 5-under 65 to depart the sphere trailing in his wake on Sunday. The Englishman sat tied for fifteenth place on the midway stage of the season’s second main, however 4 birdies on the again 9 propelled him away from the pack.
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McIlroy struggled to problem the leaders on the day, even dropping his composure and swearing at a spectator, but was overjoyed to witness Rai elevate the trophy.
“Aaron is getting away from the sphere just a little bit and appears like he will win, which is nice,” stated McIlroy as Rai drained a 68-foot putt for birdie on 17. “You will not discover one particular person on property who’s not completely happy for him.”
McIlroy was paired with former Ryder Cup star Xander Schauffele all through the ultimate spherical, and the American wholeheartedly shared the Northern Irishman’s sentiments. “I am tremendous completely happy for him. He is such a great dude,” stated Schauffele after the ultimate spherical.
“Hardly ever do you see folks work actually arduous. I imply, that is not honest. Hardly ever do you are feeling like folks work approach tougher than you is what I used to be making an attempt to say.
“I really feel like I’ve performed a fairly good period of time, and Aaron is at all times there. He is at all times within the fitness center. He is at all times on the vary.
“He is at all times — you recognize, on the Scottish, I am staying proper on website there. I believed it was enjoyable for Austin and I to go putt. Aaron is ending up his little placing session at 9:00 p.m. and going to the fitness center at 9:45.
“This was three years in the past. I believe that is what it is about to be a serious champion. You place the work in when no one’s wanting. Tremendous pumped for him and his crew.”
LIV Golf star Jon Rahm posted a two-under for the day and ended tied-second. Regardless of arising simply quick, he was equally effusive in his admiration for Rai.
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“I have not spent a number of time with him,” stated Rahm. “However I’ve heard constantly there’s only a few folks which might be nicer and kinder human beings than Aaron Rai.
“Anyone that wears or makes use of head covers in his irons as a result of he coveted his irons when he was a child a lot that he needed to respect the tools a lot, and to nonetheless do it? Yeah, precisely, he is nonetheless doing it reveals quite a bit about an individual.
“I’ve heard completely nothing however good or nice issues about Aaron Rai. He is been taking part in nice golf. He is a incredible golfer. He is been capable of carry out very well. What he did right now is nothing wanting particular.”
Rai secured a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship and a five-year exemption into the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open, and on the PGA Tour following his victory. He’ll obtain a duplicate Wanamaker trophy and a champions cash clip. Rai has additionally turn into the primary English-born golfer to say the PGA Championship in over a century at Aronimink Golf Membership.
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