Aaron Rai Wins 2026 PGA Championship by Three Shots

Aaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship on Sunday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 31-year-old Englishman closed with a 5-under 65 to finish at 9-under 271 and claim his first major title by three shots. Rai made six birdies over the final 10 holes.

He took the lead for good with a birdie on the 13th and added a 70-foot birdie putt on the 17th that drew a loud roar from the gallery.

Rai started the back nine three shots behind the leaders.

He responded with a 5-wood and a 40-foot eagle putt on the 10th, then produced a 40-yard bunker shot that set up a birdie on the 13th. He finished with seven straight one-putt greens. The closing stretch ranks among the strongest final 10 holes in recent major history.

Smalley tied for second at 6-under 274. Rahm posted a 68 and recorded his best major finish since joining LIV Golf at the end of 2023. Justin Thomas led the clubhouse for nearly four hours after a 65 but finished one shot behind the leaders at 5-under 275. Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele each closed with 69s and tied for fifth.

Rai is the first English-born winner of the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919. He wears two gloves and keeps plastic covers on his irons, habits that began in his childhood in England. Rai said the covers remind him of his roots. His father bought the irons and cleaned the grooves with baby oil after each round.

U.S. Open, and British Open. He also secured lifetime eligibility for the PGA Championship.