Aaron Rai produced a stunning finish at Aronimink Golf Club to claim the PGA Championship, while LIV Golf’s headline talents had sharply contrasting weeks. Rai closed with an eagle and four birdies, including a 70‑foot putt on the 17th, to become the first Englishman in 107 years to win the PGA and end a decade-long run of American champions.
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau entered the tournament among the pre-event favourites — each with two LIV wins this season and recent major form — but their results could not have been more different. Rahm finished tied for second, his best major result since winning the Masters in 2023, while DeChambeau missed the cut and was joint-last among the 11 LIV players in the field.
Rahm, who had struggled at The Open and the Masters this year, said the week was a confidence boost: “As far as I’m concerned, to be in the mix again and hit it as good as I did and perform as well as I did this weekend, it’s been a great week. Can’t really ask too much more of myself.” He had been chasing the third leg of a career Grand Slam and aimed to become the first Spaniard to lift the Wanamaker Trophy.
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley credited Rahm’s improved mindset after resolving his dispute with the DP World Tour, saying the player “looks in a happy place” and that mental calm had underpinned Rahm’s return to contention. McGinley added that if Rahm’s putting had been a bit hotter, he could easily have been champion, and warned not to discount Rahm going forward.
By contrast, DeChambeau’s week added to a recent run of disappointing major showings. The two‑time U.S. Open champion missed the cut by three shots despite finishing his second round with three straight birdies. McGinley was blunt about DeChambeau, saying it was “not vintage Bryson” and suggesting off-course issues, including his move to LIV and the uncertainty around future funding, were affecting his mindset. DeChambeau’s LIV contract expires at season’s end and there is no immediate path back to the PGA Tour, leaving his short-term future unclear.
There were, however, positives for LIV beyond Rahm. Cameron Smith tied for seventh, halting a run of missed cuts in majors, while David Puig and Joaquin Niemann each finished tied for 18th. Puig’s result moved him into the world top 60 and secured US Open qualification. Those performances were an improvement on LIV’s showing at the Masters and provided on-course reassurance amid questions about the circuit’s future after reports of Saudi funding uncertainty.
Rai’s victory was notable for the depth of the leaderboard on a testing Aronimink setup. Gusting winds and penal rough left many top names scrambling: Alex Smalley (No. 78) and Matti Schmid (No. 97) both led at points during a dramatic Sunday. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler struggled on the greens and described missing several short putts as a “bitter pill to swallow,” finishing tied 14th. Rory McIlroy came up five strokes shy after a final-round 69, lamenting a handful of costly holes.
Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee suggested Rai’s triumph underlined how demanding conditions can expose the game’s usual favourites: “When you look at the top 10 players in the world, it seemed like every single one of them had some sort of problem… To get some help at the top of that leaderboard, the top 10 players in the world have to have some problem.” He added that it’s healthy for the sport to see less-fancied names prevail on occasion.
Jordan Spieth’s bid to complete a career Grand Slam again fell short. After an encouraging start, late bogeys and a second-round 72 left him unable to sustain a challenge; he finished outside the top 15 for the seventh straight PGA Championship.
The tournament also produced a feel-good story in club professional Ben Kern. The Hickory Hills GC general manager carded six birdies in a second-round 67 to make the weekend and became a social-media sensation, earning a final-round pairing with Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. Kern’s run — and other club-pro highlights — revived debate about the place of club professionals in a 156‑player major field and provided a memorable subplot to the championship.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour moves to Texas for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, with Scheffler set to defend his title. Rory McIlroy is expected to take two weeks off before returning at the Memorial Tournament, and the next major, the U.S. Open, will be contested at Shinnecock Hills in mid-June.
Overall, Aronimink produced a memorable major week: Aaron Rai emerged as a deserving champion, Jon Rahm regained form and respect with a runner-up finish, and DeChambeau’s struggles highlighted ongoing uncertainty for some LIV players. The championship reinforced how major golf often rewards resilience and creativity under pressure.