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Heading into Sunday’s final round of the 2026 PGA Championship, it feels like it’s anyone’s game, because it was. An unprecedented 21 players were within four shots of 54-hole leader Alex Smalley, but it was Englishman Aaron Rai who managed to break away from the pack at Aronimink and never looked back on his way to becoming the major champion.
Rai, who entered this week ranked 44th in the world, came out of the gates on Sunday firing, but after making a four-foot birdie putt on the open hole, he quickly fell into the inevitable situation every player faces during the final round of staying patient and taking what the golf course gives him.
Aaron Rai of England tees off on the 2nd hole during the final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 17, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) (David Cannon/Getty Images)
After a difficult tee shot on a difficult par-3 hole, then sent the green with his bunker shot, disaster quickly came into the equation, but the 31-year-old managed to convert a four-foot putt for bogey. It was one of those bogeys that was a momentum saver, and the momentum was used on the next hole.
Rai reached the gettable par-5 9th hole in two and sunk a 40-footer for eagle. It was a nice bonus going into the back nine, which had played like a tough side all week, but Rai didn’t subscribe to that narrative on Sunday.
As the entire field and the golf tournament as a whole fell into neutral for what felt like hours and the final teams made the turn, Rai stepped on the gas.
Aaron Rai of England hits his second shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 17, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) (David Cannon/Getty Images)
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After picking up another birdie on the par-4 11th, it was his birdie on the 299-yard par-4 13th that he can look back on as i a minute.
Left with a dicey bunker shot from 40 yards, Rai had the option to play it safe and leave himself 20 or so feet up the hill for birdie. Or, he can fly the golf ball into the hole and deliver a landing spot that falls into the hole beyond the flag. He didn’t hesitate and left the green with yet another birdie and a two shot advantage.
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Despite the fact that the 13th hole is unplayable by every player in the field, Rai’s birdie earned a shot from many competitors on Sunday. Nick Taylor, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele bogeyed the hole, while Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, and Smalley also couldn’t take advantage of the short hole.
Rai officially put his hand on the door to close by reaching the par-5 16th hole twice and making one of the most comfortable birdies you’ll ever see, and he officially closed it with a 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th.
Rai played his final 10 holes with six pars and no blemish on the scorecard before posting a 65 and a three-shot victory at 9-under overall.
The five-under round marks his lowest score in a major tournament by two. The Sunday of the biggest tournament of your life cycle is special.
Rai being the last man standing among the likes of Ludwig Aberg, McIlroy, Rahm, Reed, and Schauffele – all of whom started the day within three shots of the lead – has a sense of randomness about it, which was the theme of the week at Aronimink.
Aaron Rai of England introduces the crowd to the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 17, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Going into the week, the most common prediction is that players will be able to split the Donald Ross designed golf course. The lack of trees and water hazards make way for the bomb and the gouge. Or so we thought.
Rai began the week ranked 160th on the PGA Tour in average driving distance, and finished the week ranked 66th in driving distance among the 82 players who made the cut.
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Although Rai is known for being among the shortest hitters on the PGA Tour, he has also made a habit of being an incredibly streaky putter. The flatstick is often a bully for Rai, but it was his best mate all week as he finished fourth in the field in greens.
With his win, Rai became the first non-American to lift the Wanamaker Trophy since Australian Jason Day did so in 2015, and the first European to reach the PGA winner’s circle since Rory McIlroy in 2014.
