Aaron Rai Wins PGA Championship, First English-Born Winner in 107 Years
On May 17, 2026, the 108th PGA Championship concluded at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Aaron Rai, a 31-year-old from England, closed with a 5-under 65 to finish at 9-under 271 and win by three shots, becoming the first English-born player to win the major since Jim Barnes in 1919.
Rai trailed by three shots during the final round before one-putting seven straight greens around the turn, including a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth, and he sealed the win with a birdie putt of some 70 feet on the 17th green. Alex Smalley, the 54-hole leader, and Jon Rahm tied for second at 6 under. A PGA Championship record 22 players had started the final round within four shots of the lead.
The PGA Tour noted that Rai, like two-time PGA champion Vijay Singh, is a major champion of Indian heritage. Rai had previously won once on the PGA Tour and had never finished inside the top 15 at a major. The victory earns him a five-year PGA Tour exemption, places in the Masters, the U.S. Open and The Open Championship, and a lifetime invitation to the PGA Championship.
Source: PGA Tour
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于美国宾夕法尼亚州Newtown Square的 Aronimink 高尔夫俱乐部球场，本届PGA锦标赛在此举行（资料照片）。Michael S 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, site of this year's PGA Championship (file photo). Photo by Michael S, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
