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290-1 Underdog Aaron Rai Clinches 2026 PGA Championship

5/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Aaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship as a 290-1 underdog, the longest-odds major win in two decades.
He posted a final-round 65 and sealed the win with a 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th.
The win grants Rai a five-year PGA Tour exemption and invitations to five Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championships.
Rai credited his wife Gaurika Bishnoi as the unsung hero whose support helped him succeed.

History

Historical Context

Lawrie’s 1999 Open at Carnoustie turned a ten-stroke deficit into a playoff win after Jean van de Velde’s triple-bogey on the 18th, earning Lawrie a five-year major exemption. The 2026 PGA Championship upset echoes that underdog story, showing how major wins secure extended tour exemptions for future champions and highlights the lasting impact of dramatic comebacks.

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Story summary

Aaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship as a 290-1 underdog, the longest-odds major win in two decades.
He posted a final-round 65 and sealed the win with a 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th.
The win grants Rai a five-year PGA Tour exemption and invitations to five Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championships.
Rai credited his wife Gaurika Bishnoi as the unsung hero whose support helped him succeed.

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