Aaron Rai wins PGA Championship with final-round 65 at Aronimink

Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship on Sunday, May 17, with a final-round 65 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 31-year-old Englishman finished at 9-under 274, three shots ahead of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, who tied for second at 6-under. Rai was 1 over through eight holes before an eagle at the par-5 ninth changed the round, and he closed with a 31 on the back nine. (pgachampionship.com) The victory gave Rai his first major title in his 13th major start, according to the PGA Championship site. ### How did Rai take control after a slow start? Rai was 1 over for the day through eight holes before he holed an eagle putt at No. 9, the PGA Championship reported. (pgachampionship.com) Rai said he hit 5-wood from about 260 yards on the approach and saw the putt from roughly 40 to 45 feet fall, calling it a boost after bogeys at Nos. 6 and 8. The back nine turned the tournament. Rai birdied the 11th from 4 feet, birdied the 13th from 7 feet and added another birdie at the par-5 16th to move clear of the field, according to the PGA Championship account of the round. Golf Channel said he played his final 10 holes in 6 under par. (pgachampionship.com) ### Why was the putt on 17 the shot everyone will remember? The 17th hole produced the defining moment when Rai made a birdie putt from nearly 70 feet on the par 3. The PGA Championship said the putt pushed him three shots clear, while the PGA Tour's live report logged it at 68 feet and moved him to 9 under approaching the 18th tee. (pgachampionship.com) Rai said he was not trying to hole the putt. "The shadow of the pin gave a really nice line for probably the last 10 feet," he said, according to the PGA Championship. He said the main aim was speed and that he was "amazing to see that one go in." (pgachampionship.com) ### Who was chasing him down the stretch? Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley finished tied for second at 6 under, three behind Rai. Smalley had started the day with the lead, and Rahm remained one of the most prominent challengers on a crowded leaderboard that also included Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler in contention during the final round. (pgachampionship.com) Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg and Matthias Schmid tied for fourth at 5 under, according to the final leaderboard. Cameron Smith, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele tied for seventh at 4 under, while Chris Gotterup, Justin Rose, Kurt Kitayama and Patrick Reed were among those tied for 10th at 3 under. (pgachampionship.com) ### What does the win add to Rai's record? Rai became the first English winner of the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919, according to the PGA Tour and Golf Channel. The PGA Championship site said it was Rai's first major victory, and Golf Channel said it was his second PGA Tour title after the 2024 Wyndham Championship. (pgachampionship.com) Rai said after the round that golf teaches "humility and discipline and absolute hard work," according to the PGA Championship. The site also described this week as only his 13th start in a major championship. (pgachampionship.com) ### What comes next after Aronimink? The PGA Championship concluded on May 17 with Rai holding the Wanamaker Trophy after a closing 65. The next step in the men's major calendar is the U.S. Open in June, where Rai will tee it up as the newest major champion. (pgachampionship.com) (pgatour.com)