Aaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship on Sunday at the Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania [1, 2].
The victory is a historic milestone for English golf, as Rai is the first player from England to capture the title in more than 100 years [2].
Rai, 31, secured the championship with a winning score of -9 [1, 2]. The English professional golfer pulled away from the field during the final round on Sunday to claim the Wanamaker Trophy [1, 3].
Reports from the event said Rai's performance was more than worthy of the title [1, 2]. His surge on the final day allowed him to overcome the competition at the Pennsylvania course [1].
Heading into the final round, the leaderboard remained tight. While some reports said Alex Smalley held a two-shot lead following Saturday's play, Rai's late-game execution on Sunday ultimately secured the win [3].
This victory marks Rai's first major championship title. He joins an elite group of golfers to have conquered the PGA Championship, ending a century-long drought for his home country [2].
“First English winner in more than 100 years”
Rai's victory breaks a significant psychological and statistical barrier for English golfers in one of the four major championships. By ending a century-long drought, Rai elevates his standing in the global game and provides a blueprint for other European players to find success at the PGA Championship, which has historically been dominated by American and other international stars.
