Rory McIlroy gave his verdict on the 2026 PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai after he carded five-under during the final round to take home his first major
Every player at the PGA Championship will be thrilled that Aaron Rai has won the PGA Championship. That’s according to Rory McIlroy, who couldn’t speak highly enough of the Englishman following his first major win.
Rai became the first champion in PGA Championship history to lower his score in each round, with a stunning 5-under 65 to blow away the field on Sunday. Rai was tied for 15th place on the leaderboard at the halfway mark of the second major of the season, but four birdies on the back nine moved him clear.
McIlroy couldn’t get near the leaders on the day, even snapping and swearing at a fan, but was thrilled to see Rai lift the trophy.
“Aaron is getting away from the field a little bit and looks like he’s going to win, which is great,” said McIlroy as Rai sank a 68-foot putt for birdie on 17.
“You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him.“
McIlroy played alongside former Ryder Cup star Xander Schauffele during the final round and he echoed the Northern Irishman’s thoughts.
“I’m super happy for him. He’s such a good dude,” said Schauffele after the final round.
“Rarely do you see people work really hard. I mean, that’s not fair. Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you is what I was trying to say.
“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. He’s always — you know, at the Scottish, I’m staying right on site there. I thought it was fun for Austin and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9:00 p.m. and going to the gym at 9:45.
“This was three years ago. 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.“
LIV Golf star Jon Rahm carded a two-under on the day and finished tied-second. Despite narrowly missing out, he too was full of praise for Rai.
“I haven’t spent a lot of time with him,” said Rahm. “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? Yeah, exactly, he’s still doing 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 earned a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship and a five-year exemption into the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open, and on the PGA Tour with his win. He’ll take home a replica Wanamaker trophy and a champions money clip.
Rai is also the first English-born golfer to win the PGA Championship in more than a century at Aronimink Golf Club.
