{"id":2083,"date":"2026-05-18T13:02:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2083"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:02:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:02:04","slug":"why-aaron-rai-is-the-man-golf-desperately-needed-after-pga-championship-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2083","title":{"rendered":"Why Aaron Rai is the man golf desperately needed after PGA Championship win"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveInsideSportNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/aaron-rai\">Aaron Rai<\/a>\u2019s putter swung like a pendulum back down towards the 17th green after the ball dropped \u2013 and the mildest of fist pumps followed, while the surrounding fans roared in shock. The most stunning birdie from almost 69ft, and a final haymaker to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/pga-championship\">PGA Championship<\/a> competition in the city tied to the story of Rocky Balboa.<\/p>\n<p>His reaction resembled the Wolverhampton man\u2019s understated character: humble, despite his greatness, as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/aaron-rai-us-pga-championship-victory-england-historic-win-b2978394.html\" title=\"Aaron Rai ends England\u2019s 107-year wait with stunning victory at PGA Championship\">first Englishman to win this particular men\u2019s major in 107 years<\/a>, was all but confirmed then and there as his lead ballooned to three strokes.<\/p>\n<p>Just one hole remained in his round on what had been a relentless charge, having seized the moment off the back of a six-under-par run over the previous nine holes, leaving great champions such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/jon-rahm\">Jon Rahm<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/rory-mcilroy\">Rory McIlroy<\/a> in the dust.<\/p>\n<p>A career built on an impressive set of values, including hard work, the 31-year-old grew up in the Midlands, his parents of Indian and Kenyan descent. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s hard for me to express everything I feel towards them,\u201d Rai noted of his parents after his emphatic major victory. \u201cMy dad, he was with me every day I went to practice, from four or five years old, he quit his job when I started to focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/golf\">golf<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe read about golf and was very active around the game. My mum has been incredible, she worked extremely long hours to provide for the house, with my Dad not working as much, her support has been phenomenal. I can\u2019t put into words how much they\u2019ve done, the support, the care, the love. I wouldn\u2019t be here without them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rai is one of the good guys and his victory should be celebrated well beyond England. In fact, it is a notable footnote in the sport\u2019s history. A rare victory in men\u2019s golf majors for a player with a minority ethnic background, following JJ Spaun\u2019s US Open win last year. Rai also grew up in a working-class family, thriving despite the majority of his competitors coming from more privileged backgrounds. He has been able to count on Shabir Randeree, a close friend and golf course owner, who became a father figure to Rai and funded his private school education after witnessing his immense potential as a child. <\/p>\n<p>The dream was spawned from hours of watching Tiger Woods on old VHS tapes, tracing the 15-time major winner\u2019s path from his amateur days.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 eoBhjY\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T081229Z_1870209597_28989811_RTRMADP_3_GOLF.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T081229Z_1870209597_28989811_RTRMADP_3_GOLF.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T081229Z_1870209597_28989811_RTRMADP_3_GOLF.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rai poses with the trophy after claiming victory in the final round of the PGA Championship\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Rai poses with the trophy after claiming victory in the final round of the PGA Championship<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Rai would play on a customised golf course as a child, with tee shots taken from the fairways, with his father gradually increasing the length to enable his son to chase par. It wasn\u2019t until he was 12 years old that Rai played from the ladies\u2019 tees, with his length gradually increasing to the point where he could play from the men\u2019s tees soon after.<\/p>\n<p>Hard work has always been at the forefront of his mind, a trait that led to lifting the hefty Wanamaker Trophy at Aronimink. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt comes from my upbringing,\u201d Rai revealed when recalling where his work ethic comes from. \u201cGolf was always a big part of my life from a young age, but my Mum and my siblings were fast to reinforce the importance of being a good person, doing the right things away from golf. That was consistent from a young age, five or six years old.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDeveloping as a junior, amateur, professional. Golf is a humbling game; so much discipline goes into getting better. Nothing is ever given in this game. All things have to be done diligently and require focus, it\u2019s very humbling. Put that together and the humility goes hand in hand with the game and my upbringing. <\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 gNGTtg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-2.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-2.?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-2.?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aaron Rai, of England, waves on the 18th green after his round\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Aaron Rai, of England, waves on the 18th green after his round<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->AP<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cMy Dad was with me every day. He installed the importance of work and education, consistently building strong habits around the game. My Mum worked extremely hard away from golf, her jobs, she worked a couple of jobs at one time, she did a lot of work around the house.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy sister took a massive role too, she had a job from 14 or 15. Consistently hard work, that was the environment. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve grown up with. Something I&#8217;ve valued and tried to move forward with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rai has stood out since forging his way on tour. His decision to wear two gloves, rather than one, stems from the comfort he felt as a junior. However, his irons still have head covers, a habit stemming from his dad\u2019s desire to respect and protect the investment he made in expensive golf equipment. Every groove would be cleaned with a pin and baby oil to preserve its value, further instilling Rai\u2019s humble character.<\/p>\n<p>And back home in the UK, following days of unrest in an increasingly divided nation, Rai eloquently illustrated his pride in his background.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 eLnjlo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T035346Z_267759300_MT1USATODAY28991538_RTRMADP_3_PGA-PGA-CHAMPIONSHIP-FINAL-ROUND.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T035346Z_267759300_MT1USATODAY28991538_RTRMADP_3_PGA-PGA-CHAMPIONSHIP-FINAL-ROUND.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/11\/2026-05-18T035346Z_267759300_MT1USATODAY28991538_RTRMADP_3_PGA-PGA-CHAMPIONSHIP-FINAL-ROUND.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rai on the 14th hole at Aronimink on Sunday\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Rai on the 14th hole at Aronimink on Sunday<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not something I can define or control about how that is put forward,\u201d Rai carefully explained when addressing his Indian and Kenyan background. \u201cBut I\u2019m very proud to be from England, that\u2019s where I grew up, I\u2019m very proud of India and Kenya, my mum grew up there. My sister now lives there, and my Mum still spends time there. Going back a couple of generations, both sets of my grandparents were from India. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m very proud to represent all three. I don\u2019t know how that comes across, but I\u2019m very proud to be a mix of all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The reception to his victory shows just how golf should treasure Rai and his success. After golf\u2019s toxic period, amid civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, it is refreshing to ignore the feuding for a moment and instead witness a beloved player and character thrive on the biggest stage. That Rai was not even involved in the PGA Tour\u2019s elevated event Truist Championship, instead playing at the second-tier Myrtle Beach Classic ought to spike inspiration among his contemporaries. <\/p>\n<p>Indeed, everybody on tour seems to have an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/aaron-rai\">Aaron Rai<\/a> story with fellow Englishman and PGA Tour player Paul Waring recalling the 2022 Irish Open. It was 7pm on a Wednesday, the rain was biblical, but as the Liverpudlian nursed a Guinness in the clubhouse, Rai, completely drenched, persevered, holing putt after putt on the practice green. Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele was also among those to laud his character. <\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 eKaJnM\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-3.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-3.?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/18\/13\/download.-3.?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aaron Rai, of England, hugs his caddie after his round\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Aaron Rai, of England, hugs his caddie after his round<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->AP<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cRarely do you feel like people work way harder than you,\u201d the American said. \u201cI feel like I\u2019ve played a pretty good amount of time and Aaron is always there. He\u2019s always in the gym. He\u2019s always on the range. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt the Scottish Open, I\u2019m staying right on site there. I thought it was fun for Austin [his caddie] and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9pm and going to the gym at 9.45pm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was three years ago. I think that\u2019s what it\u2019s about to be a major champion. You put the work in when nobody\u2019s looking. Super pumped for him and his team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Victory in the western suburb of Philadelphia shifts focus to grander ambitions, notably Luke Donald\u2019s European Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor next year. And the unwavering persona displayed throughout Sunday suggests Rai will be there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971.jpeg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-300x200.jpeg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-768x512.jpeg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-1024x683.jpeg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971.jpeg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971.jpeg",1200,800,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-1115x715.jpeg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-800x500.jpeg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-1024x683.jpeg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-540x340.jpeg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2276793971-400x250.jpeg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2083"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2083\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}