Aaron Rai sank a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth to take the lead on seven straight greens.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Aaron Rai gave it his all on Sunday, blasting one stunning shot after another away from a world-class pitch until he became the first British-born player in more than a century. PGA Championship.
Rye grew up dreaming of becoming a Formula One driver until he started playing golf as a child and was three shots behind approaching the turn. Aronimink Golf Club When he plays a performance worthy of a major championship.
He made a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth hole and took the lead on seven consecutive greens with one putt.
In the final holes, when competitors needed him to stumble, Rye Made a birdie putt of about 70 feet Over the 17th green, the tiebreaker.
The 31-year-old Rai, the first Indian-born player to win a major championship, finished with a 65, 5 under.
Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, they all had their chances until they were ruined by untimely mistakes or failing to get a good look at birdie. McIlroy finished with a 69, tied on the par-5s this week, with a bogey on the par-4 13th.
Rye, who finished at 9-under 271, was the first English player since Jim Barnes in 1919 to have the Wanamaker Cup named after him, the second edition of the major and the first since World War I.
He ended up winning by three strokes over 54-hole leader Alex Smalley and Rahm, who posted his best finish since defecting to the majors. life golf At the end of 2023, Rahm was slowed down by two bogeys on the front nine and only made one birdie on the back nine, shooting 68.
Smalley lost the lead with a double bogey on the sixth hole and his best golf came too late. Rye already has his sights set on the Wanamaker Trophy.
Justin Thomas holed a 16-foot par putt on the final hole for a 65 that put him within one shot of the lead as the final group was on the second fairway. For a long time, as Aronimink’s attitude grew stronger and the pressure mounted, Thomas seemed to have a chance.
Like everything else on the final day, Rye ended those hopes.
Thus ended one of the most extraordinary weeks in the Philadelphia suburbs, one that no one could separate from themselves on Aronimink Island. The 22 players entering the final round were four strokes away from the lead, a PGA Championship record.
Standing out from the crowd is 31-year-old Rai, who has one PGA Tour title, three European Tour titles and no top 15 in any major.
He may not be well-known to casual observers, but he became a star in the eyes of his peers for his humble and gracious personality.
“You’re not going to find a guy on the course who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said.
“He and his team are very excited,” Schauffele said. “A gentleman of the world, without a doubt.”
He wears two gloves, a habit he picked up as a child practicing in England to combat the cold winters — and he keeps practicing. Even more unusual for Rai is the plastic cover on each iron, a reminder of his roots.
He once said that his father sacrificed buying the best golf clubs and then cleaning the grooves with baby oil after his son played. Rye has been wearing the cap ever since, “to remember where I came from and respect what I have.”
Now, his name is on the Wanamaker Trophy and has a place in history.
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