The powerful advice that helped Rai win the US PGA

May 21, 2026 No Comments

The powerful advice that helped Rai win the US PGAImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Aaron Rai became the first winner of the US PGA Championship to shoot a better score in every roundByJoe BradshawBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished17 minutes agoAaron Rai does not seek attention.The Wolverhampton-born golfer has no agent, shipped over his family car from the UK when he moved across the Atlantic, and has no desire to move from the Jacksonville home where he has lived for three years.So when the 31-year-old thrust himself into a share of second place at the US PGA Championship after a fine three-under 67 on Saturday, he was concerned about what might come next.It was down to wife Gaurika Bishnoi Rai, a professional golfer in her own right, to ease the fears and help him visualise winning the Wanamaker Trophy.The advice she gave came in the shape of a simple message.Rai explained: “She mentioned to me on Saturday night and before I started on Sunday as well: ‘You’re ready.’ That was really powerful.”Why Rai winning his first major in Rocky’s backyard feels fitting

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Two gloves, one major – England’s Rai wins US PGA title

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When Sunday dawned, Rai was far from being the trophy favourite. Alongside him in second was two-time major champion Jon Rahm, while serial winners Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele were just a further shot back.

They were among 22 players within four of the lead held by America’s Alex Smalley in the most congested leaderboard in US PGA Championship history.

Few expected Rai, with only one win on the PGA Tour, to be the man who stepped up. But from the moment he made eagle on the ninth, he was untouchable, shooting six under through his final 10 holes to win by three shots.

As anticipated, the attention on Rai since has been hugely amplified, but like his wife predicted, he seems to be taking it in his stride – not that he would admit it.

“The reception and the warmth that has come from Sunday has been a little overwhelming,” he mentioned, speaking to the media from his home, four days on from the biggest win of this career.

“I am blown away by the amount of reaction.”

Rai met his wife at the 2018 Indian Open and they got married last summer. On Sunday, she was waiting by the 18th green for her husband and the couple shared a meaningful embrace as he clinched his maiden major title.

“There was part of me that imagined how many more commitments and areas that would come with [winning],” Rai mentioned.

“During previous tournaments, I felt it was a lot of change, I was extremely busy and it felt like more to handle.

“[My wife] is extremely honest with me – through the good and through the not-so-good. That particular piece of advice was very reassuring.”

No agent, no money plans – and no trophy

Aaron Rai holds the Wanamaker Trophy with his wife — Image caption,

Aaron Rai has won more than $16m (£11.9m) on the PGA Tour

Unlike most professional golfers, Rai does not have an agent – something he insists will not change despite rising to 15th in the world after his victory.

He has been sponsored and mentored by British golf instruction company Me and My Golf for years and is happy to look after his own affairs.

Like his efficient and tidy golf, he keeps his arrangements simple.

“It was always a conscious effort since the early days of turning professional to try and keep things in a close circle,” mentioned Rai. “Through the years and different experiences, that’s something that has stayed true for me.

“I’ve never felt the need to reach out and change those things. I have help in dealing with certain things, but not through a particular agent or manager.”

Rai’s family have been integral to his career, with much written this week about the sacrifice of his parents in pursuing the best for their son.

Winning the US PGA Championship bolstered Rai’s bank balance by $3.7m (£2.8m) but, while he is keen to give back to his support network, he has no plans to make any lavish purchases.

“That’s something I haven’t really thought of,” he mentioned. “I have a really nice house that I absolutely love – I imported my car from the UK and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

“I would like to get a couple of my family members something but I wanted to be thoughtful rather than just buy something that is worth X amount.

“I’m definitely going to sit with that and think about it a little bit more.”

While the prize money may be secure, Rai revealed he is yet to receive the two-and-a-half-stone Wanamaker Trophy because it has “a little bit of damage”.

The winner of the US PGA Championship looks after the original for a year and is given a replica to keep – neither of which has yet arrived.

“I’m not sure what exactly happened,” Rai mentioned, laughing. “There’s just a little bit of damage towards the top of the trophy, which they wanted to fix before it went anywhere.”

Aaron Rai: From Wolverhampton to major champion

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