Aaron Rai capped a remarkable run by winning the PGA Championship, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the Wanamaker Trophy. The 31-year-old finished three shots clear to claim his first major, a $3.69m prize and a lifetime exemption into the tournament, yet kept his celebration famously low-key, saying he and his wife would ‘probably just go to Chipotle’.
Humble reputation and praise
Rai’s quiet demeanor has won him fans across the tour. Jon Rahm, who finished tied second, praised Rai’s character and described the victory as ‘nothing short of special’. Teammates and commentators have pointed to the same qualities that helped him on Sunday: relentless work, steady temperament and respect for the game.
Early life and how he found golf
Born in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in 1995 to a working-class family, Rai is the son of Dalvir, who immigrated from Kenya and worked long shifts as a mental health nurse, and Amrik, whose family came from India and who played amateur tennis while working in community services. No one in the family played golf before Aaron, and he originally dreamed of becoming an F1 driver.
His entry into golf was accidental: his father noticed his tennis swing resembled a golf driver and bought him a set of plastic clubs. Rai played in his first tournament at four, beating much older children and winning the net division, and his parents quickly backed his development. His dad read about the swing, coached him in basics, and even quit his job for a time to support early practice routines. Rai has been outspoken about how central his parents’ sacrifices were, saying he could not be where he is without them.
Why he covers his irons
One of Rai’s signature habits is fitting headcovers on his irons. The story goes back to age seven when his father bought him a set of Titleist 690MB blades. To protect and cherish those clubs, his father cleaned the grooves meticulously and used iron covers. Rai has kept the tradition, saying the covers are a reminder to ‘appreciate the value of what I have’ and of his family’s sacrifices. Peers point to that habit as evidence of his character and humility.
Why he wears two gloves
Rai also stands out for wearing a glove on each hand, a rarity on tour. The practice began when a local contact sent him a pair of Macwet all-weather gloves; they became his favorite. He tried playing with only one glove and disliked it so much that he stuck with two ever since. The choice is practical and sentimental, and the brand loyalty goes back decades.
Family and support
Rai credits his wife, former Ladies European Tour player Gaurika Bishnoi, as a major influence. Bishnoi, who has competed in high-profile pro-am events, offers technical advice, mindset coaching and steady support. Rai has described their conversations before big days as invaluable and said he ‘wouldn’t be here without her’.
Career path to the top
Rai turned professional in 2012 and worked his way up through the European feeder circuits. He joined the Challenge Tour in 2017, earned his DP World Tour card that year, and claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Hong Kong Open in 2018. His second DP World Tour victory came at the 2020 Scottish Open. He secured his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals soon after and won his first PGA Tour event at the Wyndham Championship in 2024. He also won the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship most recently.
Rai describes his rise as the product of steady, daily work instilled by his upbringing. He notes the depth of talent on the PGA Tour and frames his progress as a continuation of disciplined practice rather than overnight success.
What this means for his future
With the PGA Championship in his résumé and consistent form across tours, discussion has begun about potential inclusion in Europe’s Ryder Cup squad. Analysts say Rai’s precision and steadiness suit match-play environments and major venues that reward tactical play and reliability.
He is also seen as a contender at upcoming majors if course conditions favor firm, fast setups that reward accuracy off the tee. Rai himself prefers to take things one event at a time, avoiding making the Ryder Cup or future majors his sole motivation, and focusing instead on preparation and steady improvement.
Next events
At the time of writing Rai is entered for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour, with eyes already on the busy summer schedule that includes the US Open and The Open. For now, though, the newly crowned major champion remains characteristically modest: grateful to his family and team, grounded in routine, and intent on letting results follow the work.