Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship on Sunday after sinking a 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole [1].
The victory marks a historic milestone for English golf, as Rai is the first player born in England to win the championship in 107 years [6].
Playing the final round at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Rai utilized a five-under 65 to pull away from the field [6]. The defining moment of the tournament occurred on the penultimate hole, where Rai converted a 68-foot putt [1]. This shot gave him a four-stroke lead heading into the final hole, effectively securing his first major title [2].
Following the birdie on the 17th, Rai finished the tournament with a total score of nine-under [1]. His performance ended a century-long drought for English golfers in this specific major, with the last Englishman to claim the trophy doing so in 1919 [3].
Throughout the final round, Rai maintained a steady pace to navigate the challenging course in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania [4]. The victory at Aronimink Golf Club cements his place in the record books as he overcomes a field of top professionals to claim the title [7].
“Rai is the first player born in England to win the championship in 107 years.”
This victory breaks a century-long deadlock for English golf in the PGA Championship. By becoming the first English-born winner since 1919, Rai not only achieves a personal career milestone with his first major title but also restores a national presence in one of golf's most prestigious tournaments.
