Aaron Rai became the first English-born golfer to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes captured the early tournaments in 1916 and 1919, the report says. Rai closed with a 5-under 65 and a 72-hole total of 9-under 271 to claim the Wanamaker Trophy, finishing three strokes ahead of Jon Rahm.
The final round saw Rai recover from early mistakes. After a bogey on No. 3 and additional bogeys on Nos. 6 and 8 left him behind, he made an eagle on the par-5 ninth and recorded four birdies on the back nine without a bogey to pull away from the field. Rai’s momentum included back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 and a 68 1/2-foot putt on the par-3 17th that briefly put him four strokes in front.
The victory ended a 10-year run of American winners at the PGA Championship, per the report, and marked the first time European golfers have won the season’s first two majors, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The report notes Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland won the Masters earlier in the season and Australia’s Jason Day was the last non-American to win the PGA in 2015.
Several top players offered notable performances but could not catch Rai. Rahm was hampered by two front-nine bogeys and could not close the gap. Justin Thomas posted an early 5-under 65 to become the early clubhouse leader at 5 under. Cameron Smith made a run with a 3-under front nine but had no birdie on the back and a bogey on 17 to finish 4 under. McIlroy finished in a tie for fifth at 4 under.
Rai entered the final round ranked 44th in the Official World Golf Ranking and began two strokes behind 54-hole leader Alex Smalley, per the report. Rai cut the deficit with a 4-foot birdie on his opening hole and, after a rocky stretch, used a 330-yard drive and a 273-yard approach before sinking a 40-foot putt for eagle on No. 9 to vault back into contention. Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele praised Rai’s work ethic, saying, “He’s always in the gym. He’s always on the range. I think that’s what it’s about to be a major champion.”
