Aaron Rai's US PGA Success 'Nothing Short Of Special' Says Jon Rahm

PHILADELPHIA, May 18 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Jon Rahm led the tributes to golf's newest major champion Aaron Rai after his stunning victory at the United States (US) PGA Championship, reported PA Media/dpa.

Englishman Rai produced moments of magic in the final round at Aronimink Golf Club to shoot 65 and see off a tightly-bunched pack featuring some of the biggest names in golf to triumph by three shots.

He is the first Englishman to win the tournament since 1919 and only the fifth European, breaking the USA's 10-year grip on the event.

Rai, born in Wolverhampton to a working-class family, is best known for wearing two gloves and also using covers on his irons – harking back to the respect he had for the clubs his father bought him as a child.

Two-time major winner Rahm, who finished tied for second, said: "I haven't spent a lot of time with him.

But I have heard consistently there's very few people that are nicer and kinder human beings than Aaron Rai.

"Anybody that wears or uses head covers in his irons because he coveted his irons when he was a kid so much that he wanted to respect the equipment so much, and to still do it, shows a lot about a person.

"I have heard absolutely nothing but good or great things about Aaron Rai. He's been playing great golf. He's a fantastic golfer. He's been able to perform really well. What he did today is nothing short of special."

Rai, who scooped the US$3.69 million prize, does not have any social media accounts and also does not have an agent.

Rory McIlroy echoed Rahm's sentiments, saying: "He's just such a good guy, hard worker, humble. Just such a gentleman."

Rai ignited his final round with an eagle at the ninth and he found birdies on the back nine while multiple major champions around him could not.

In doing so he became just the eighth Englishman to win a major.

American Xander Schauffele, the 2024 champion, said: "I'm super happy for him. He's such a good dude. Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you.

"I feel like I've played a pretty good amount of time and Aaron is always there. 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. You put the work in when nobody's looking. Super pumped for him and his team."

-- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa