England's Aaron Rai Wins First Major With Two-Glove Style

Aaron Rai walked onto Aronimink Golf Club's 17th green needing to hold his nerve, and what happened next will be talked about for decades.

The 31-year-old Englishman drained an incredible 69-foot putt, the second-longest of the entire tournament, to all but seal his first major championship victory at the US PGA. His calm, methodical play delivered a five-under 65 final round and a three-shot win over Spain's Jon Rahm and American Alex Smalley.

The victory makes Rai the first Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919. He's also likely the first major champion to wear two gloves while playing, a quirky detail that makes his triumph even more memorable.

What makes this win extraordinary is the journey behind it. Rai struggled with neck injuries this season that limited his practice time, making consistent preparation difficult. He'd never finished in the top 10 at a major before this week, with a career-best tie for 19th.

"It is very surreal," Rai said after his win. "It has been a frustrating season so being stood here is outside of my wildest imagination."

While the challenging course scrambled the minds of most competitors over four days, Rai kept his approach simple and smart. He focused on keeping his ball on the fairway from the tee, ranking fourth-best for the week in that crucial category. On a course with severely sloped greens and punishing rough, that strategic thinking paid off brilliantly.

The turning point came on holes 11 and 13, where back-to-back birdies moved Rai into the lead at seven under. Another birdie on the par-five 16th extended his cushion before that magical moment on 17 sealed the deal.

Why This Inspires

Rai's victory shows how staying calm under pressure and trusting your process can overcome even the longest odds. His experience winning the Abu Dhabi Championship in November gave him proof he could beat world-class fields, and he drew on that confidence when it mattered most.

After sinking the 69-foot putt, Rai allowed himself only a gentle fist pump while fans erupted around him. That composure perfectly captured how he won: by keeping calm in the eye of the storm. "I definitely wasn't trying to hole that putt," he smiled afterward, crediting a shadow from the pin for helping him visualize the line.

For someone who entered the week without a top-10 major finish, Rai's methodical brilliance proved that patience and precision can conquer golf's toughest tests.