Aaron Rai became a history maker at this year’s PGA Championship for a ton of reasons.
He became the first Englishman to win a PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919, and with Rai claiming the second major of the season, this is the first time since The Masters was created that European golfers have won the first two majors of the season.
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This was the first time the PGA Championship has been held at Aronimink since 1962, when Gary Player claimed his third major championship on his way to the Career Grand Slam. And Player was waiting on the 18th green to congratulate Rai after his victory.
He then took to social media to send the first-time major winner a heartfelt message.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images
Gary Player’s message to Aaron Rai after he won the PGA Championship
Rai’s win was inspiring, as he battled the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm down the stretch at Aronimink and emerged victorious.
But the way he dedicated his victory to his wife, and showed tremendous respect to the sport and the competition afterward, stuck in the mind of Player.
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The South African took to social media to congratulate Rai after he won the Wanamaker Trophy: “Aronimink is one of the truly great championship golf courses in the world, and the condition of the course, the incredible galleries, and the hospitality of the club made the PGA Championship an unforgettable week.
“I have always believed the PGA Championship stands for the club professional, and as a former president of the PGA in South Africa, I deeply admire how this championship continues to honour the men and women who dedicate their lives to growing the game and serving their communities.
“Aaron Rai was every bit the gentleman and champion you hope to see win a major championship, and the magnificent putt he holed on the 17th green, a putt I honestly felt would have been difficult to two-putt, was one of the finest moments of the week.
“To then see the way he embraced his wife, with such genuine love, humility, and gratitude, reminded me that success in golf comes from a deep passion for the game and an unwavering commitment to hard work, and all in all, it was a magnificent championship at a magnificent club. Well done to all. GP”
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The PGA of America is the backbone of the sport in the States, in large part because of the PGA professionals in clubs across the country who dedicate their lives to the game. This championship does a phenomenal job of paying its respects to those people, so it was nice to see Player give the nod to them, as well as Rai.
As for Rai, it seems he’s captured the imagination of the entire golfing world with his humility and kindness. He’s made a fan out of a lot of people, including Player.
Aaron Rai explains why he would not have won the PGA Championship without his wife
It became immediately apparent how much Rai credits his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, for his success at Aronimink. His face didn’t truly light up until he saw her on the 18th green, and in his winner’s press conference, he explained how she helped him to victory.
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Rai said, “She’s been incredible. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her. Both as a companion, as a friend, as someone I’m sharing my life with, but also as a real support system for my game. She’s a professional golfer herself.
“So her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself is absolutely invaluable. She encompasses so many different sides in her opinions.
“We even had a conversation yesterday for probably 30 minutes in the car just before we got back to the hotel, just speaking a little bit about today. Again, some of the things that she mentioned in the conversations were really with me today.
“Yeah, I really wouldn’t be here without her.”
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On the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Lav, analyst Ryan Lavner revealed that this conversation involved Rai attempting to come to terms with his entire life changing if he were to win the PGA Championship, as Bishnoi assured her husband that she would ground him.
It’s truly a team effort in the Rai household, which should inspire everyone.
Read the full article here