Aaron Rai has won the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, becoming the first Englishman in over a century to claim the title. Born in Wombourne, Staffordshire, Rai captured his first major championship in Pennsylvania with a final round of 65, finishing at nine under par for the tournament.
Victory Confirmed Early
Due to his commanding lead, Rai's victory was confirmed before the final group—Alex Smalley, Jon Rahm, and Matti Schmid—even reached the 18th hole. Speaking on Sky Sports, Rai said, "Very surreal to win. It has been a frustrating season, so to be stood here was not in my wildest imagination. It is phenomenal."
Dramatic Final Round
Rai, ranked 44th in the world, entered the final round two shots behind leader Alex Smalley. However, he took advantage of his competitors' struggles, carding an eagle and six birdies to overturn the deficit. One of the highlights came on the 17th hole, where Rai holed a putt from around 30 feet. Reflecting on the Wanamaker Trophy, Rai added, "I definitely wasn't trying to hole that putt. The shadow of the pin gave a really nice line for the last 10 feet, so that helped with the visual. It just tracked really well—it was amazing to see it go in."
Historic Achievement
Rai's victory makes him the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919. The 31-year-old's back-nine performance secured his place in golf history, capping off a remarkable turnaround in a season that had previously been frustrating.
