Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship, First English-Born Champion in a Century

The 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, ended with Aaron Rai capturing the Wanamaker Trophy by three strokes. The course’s tough setup challenged No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s putting, yet Rai’s steady play earned his first major and made him the first English-born PGA champion in a century.

ESPN

Rai entered at 290-1 odds, with one top-10 finish this season at Myrtle Beach. He has made the cut in his last nine majors, tying for 19th at the 2024 PGA Championship and U.S. Open. Alex Smalley tied for second at six-under, earning his Masters berth after an eagle on 16 and a birdie on 18 secured a top-four finish.

ESPN

Rai ranks fourth in driving accuracy (291.1 yards) and 24th in strokes-gained: approach (0.435). His average drive of 291.1 yards is below the tour norm, but precision offsets the distance. Smalley’s final round featured a double-bogey on 6 and a bogey on 8 before his late surge.

ESPN

The PGA Tour announced Rai’s win grants a five-year exemption and invitations to the next five Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and a PGA Championship spot. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said the team’s points system for the 2027 event is still being defined, implying Rai’s major could affect his selection.

ESPN

Analyst Paolo Uggetti warned that the confidence from a major win may not translate into consistent performance given Rai’s unlikely triumph. Commentator Mark Schlabach argued Rai’s iron play and accuracy exceed Y.E. Yang’s 2009 victory, though his driving distance remains limited.

ESPN

• “It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game.” — Aaron Rai, 2026 PGA Champion

ESPN

• “I try not to consciously focus on it too much. These things are always around, whether it's Ryder Cup, whether it's the next event, whether it's the next major,” — Aaron Rai, post-victory interview

ESPN

• “Paolo Uggetti: There's nothing like the confidence that winning a major championship brings, but given how improbable Rai's victory is, it's fair to wonder how that confidence will exactly translate into future results -- be it on the PGA Tour or at the next crop of majors.” — Paolo Uggetti, golf analyst

ESPN

• “He won four times on the DP World Tour and now he has won nine times around the world.” — Mark Schlabach, ESPN commentator

ESPN

The 2026 U.S. Open will be at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, in June. Rai’s five-year exemption and major-champion status position him for the U.S. Open and for Ryder Cup selection ahead of the 2027 event at Adare Manor.

ESPN