England’s Aaron Rai has won the 2026 PGA Championship after a thrilling final round in Aronimink on Sunday. The 31-year-old, born in Wombourne, Staffordshire, emerged from an all-star list of contenders going into the final day to win a stunning first major title in Pennsylvania.
Rai ended three shots ahead of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley to claim his maiden major championship with Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg and several others finishing at -4.Rory McIlroy was in the fight to triumph on the final day, but could not keep up with Rai as he managed six birdies in his round on Sunday with most of those coming in a sensational back nine.
One of those was on the penultimate hole and arguably sealed his unfathomable victory as he drained a putt of nearly 60 feet to move -9 at the same time his closest challenger Matti Schmid putted for a bogey.
After finishing on 18th with a par, Rai hugged his caddie Jason Timmis before sharing a warm embrace with his wife Gaurika Bishnoi. With Smalley and Matti Schmid among those still needing to finish, Rai headed off the course knowing he had all but claimed his first major victory.
As he waited to lift the Wanamaker Trophy, Rai stood in the club house with a smile rarely leaving his face. The world No.44 in the PGA rankings was a real outside chance to triumph, especially after a mixed front nine, but he emerged from a close-knit pack to win with a final round score of 65.
With Smalley and Schmid on the 18th green, Rai patiently waited for his moment as he spoke to Timmis again with the pair smiling and laughing to each other. Timmis had already spoken to several broadcasters and course officials with the relief and joy on his face clear to see.
The trophy presentation followed soon after that with Rai also receiving congratulatory hugs from both Smalley and Schmid alongside their caddies. Rai then went on to lift the enormous Wanamaker Trophy before speaking about his sensational four rounds.
He said on Sky Sports: “Very surreal [to win]. It has been a frustrating season, so to be stood here was not in my wildest imagination. So it is phenomenal to be stood here.”