Why Aaron Rai is the man golf desperately needed after PGA Championship win

Aaron Rai’s putter swung like a pendulum back down towards the 17th green after the ball dropped – and the mildest of fist pumps followed, while the surrounding fans roared in shock. The most stunning birdie from almost 69ft, and a final haymaker to the PGA Championship competition in the city tied to the story of Rocky Balboa.

His reaction resembled the Wolverhampton man’s understated character: humble, despite his greatness, as the first Englishman to win this particular men’s major in 107 years, was all but confirmed then and there as his lead ballooned to three strokes.

Just one hole remained in his round on what had been a relentless charge, having seized the moment off the back of a six-under-par run over the previous nine holes, leaving great champions such as Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy in the dust.

A career built on an impressive set of values, including hard work, the 31-year-old grew up in the Midlands, his parents of Indian and Kenyan descent.

“It’s hard for me to express everything I feel towards them,” Rai noted of his parents after his emphatic major victory. “My dad, he was with me every day I went to practice, from four or five years old, he quit his job when I started to focus on golf.

“He read about golf and was very active around the game. My mum has been incredible, she worked extremely long hours to provide for the house, with my Dad not working as much, her support has been phenomenal. I can’t put into words how much they’ve done, the support, the care, the love. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Rai is one of the good guys and his victory should be celebrated well beyond England. In fact, it is a notable footnote in the sport’s history. A rare victory in men’s golf majors for a player with a minority ethnic background, following JJ Spaun’s US Open win last year. Rai also grew up in a working-class family, thriving despite the majority of his competitors coming from more privileged backgrounds. He has been able to count on Shabir Randeree, a close friend and golf course owner, who became a father figure to Rai and funded his private school education after witnessing his immense potential as a child.

The dream was spawned from hours of watching Tiger Woods on old VHS tapes, tracing the 15-time major winner’s path from his amateur days.

Rai poses with the trophy after claiming victory in the final round of the PGA Championship (Reuters)

Rai would play on a customised golf course as a child, with tee shots taken from the fairways, with his father gradually increasing the length to enable his son to chase par. It wasn’t until he was 12 years old that Rai played from the ladies’ tees, with his length gradually increasing to the point where he could play from the men’s tees soon after.

Hard work has always been at the forefront of his mind, a trait that led to lifting the hefty Wanamaker Trophy at Aronimink.

“It comes from my upbringing,” Rai revealed when recalling where his work ethic comes from. “Golf was always a big part of my life from a young age, but my Mum and my siblings were fast to reinforce the importance of being a good person, doing the right things away from golf. That was consistent from a young age, five or six years old.

“Developing as a junior, amateur, professional. Golf is a humbling game; so much discipline goes into getting better. Nothing is ever given in this game. All things have to be done diligently and require focus, it’s very humbling. Put that together and the humility goes hand in hand with the game and my upbringing.

Aaron Rai, of England, waves on the 18th green after his round (AP)

“My Dad was with me every day. He installed the importance of work and education, consistently building strong habits around the game. My Mum worked extremely hard away from golf, her jobs, she worked a couple of jobs at one time, she did a lot of work around the house.

“My sister took a massive role too, she had a job from 14 or 15. Consistently hard work, that was the environment. It’s something I’ve grown up with. Something I’ve valued and tried to move forward with.”

Rai has stood out since forging his way on tour. His decision to wear two gloves, rather than one, stems from the comfort he felt as a junior. However, his irons still have head covers, a habit stemming from his dad’s desire to respect and protect the investment he made in expensive golf equipment. Every groove would be cleaned with a pin and baby oil to preserve its value, further instilling Rai’s humble character.

And back home in the UK, following days of unrest in an increasingly divided nation, Rai eloquently illustrated his pride in his background.

Rai on the 14th hole at Aronimink on Sunday (Reuters)

“It’s not something I can define or control about how that is put forward,” Rai carefully explained when addressing his Indian and Kenyan background. “But I’m very proud to be from England, that’s where I grew up, I’m very proud of India and Kenya, my mum grew up there. My sister now lives there, and my Mum still spends time there. Going back a couple of generations, both sets of my grandparents were from India.

“I’m very proud to represent all three. I don’t know how that comes across, but I’m very proud to be a mix of all of them.”

The reception to his victory shows just how golf should treasure Rai and his success. After golf’s toxic period, amid civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, it is refreshing to ignore the feuding for a moment and instead witness a beloved player and character thrive on the biggest stage. That Rai was not even involved in the PGA Tour’s elevated event Truist Championship, instead playing at the second-tier Myrtle Beach Classic ought to spike inspiration among his contemporaries.

Indeed, everybody on tour seems to have an Aaron Rai story with fellow Englishman and PGA Tour player Paul Waring recalling the 2022 Irish Open. It was 7pm on a Wednesday, the rain was biblical, but as the Liverpudlian nursed a Guinness in the clubhouse, Rai, completely drenched, persevered, holing putt after putt on the practice green. Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele was also among those to laud his character.

Aaron Rai, of England, hugs his caddie after his round (AP)

“Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you,” the American said. “I feel like I’ve played a pretty good amount of time and Aaron is always there. He’s always in the gym. He’s always on the range.

“At the Scottish Open, I’m staying right on site there. I thought it was fun for Austin [his caddie] and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9pm and going to the gym at 9.45pm.

“This was three years ago. I think that’s what it’s about to be a major champion. You put the work in when nobody’s looking. Super pumped for him and his team.”

Victory in the western suburb of Philadelphia shifts focus to grander ambitions, notably Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor next year. And the unwavering persona displayed throughout Sunday suggests Rai will be there.

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