Aaron Rai's historic moment came and went in a flash. The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton became the first Englishman to claim the PGA Championship since 1919, pocketing $3.69 million and a lifetime exemption to the tournament. When asked how he'd mark the occasion, Rai seemed almost bemused by his own achievement. His wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, had a ready answer: "He'll probably have Chipotle."
The reality of what he'd accomplished didn't fully register until later. Rai discovered the century-long English drought only on Saturday night, after his victory was secured. "There's been a lot of incredible and historic English players over those hundred years," he reflected, "players who have gone on to achieve incredible things and had phenomenal careers, so to win this event and then to be the person that's the first one to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing."
Rai credited much of his success to Bishnoi, a professional golfer herself. After he bogeyed the 18th and temporarily lost the lead on Saturday, she provided counsel that proved decisive. "I'm not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn't be here without her," Rai said. "Her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it's technique or the way I'm holding myself is absolutely invaluable." The pair spent about 30 minutes in the car the night before Sunday's final round discussing strategy and approach, conversations Rai carried with him onto the course.
The leaderboard at Aronimink was one of the most tightly bunched in major championship history, yet Rai made a deliberate choice to ignore it. "I knew there were a lot of people that were relatively close, but I think regardless of how bunched that it was, it still required a really good, strong round of golf," he said. "The course really demanded it this week, it was so punishing. You couldn't lose a split-second of focus at any part, whether it was a tee shot, whether it was an approach shot, whether it was a putt."
As a child, Rai had been transfixed by Tiger Woods. He and his family watched VHS recordings of Woods' early triumphs repeatedly, sometimes two or three times a week, studying his US Amateur victories and his professional debut. "He's such an icon and such a huge figure in the game," Rai said, "and he's someone that I really idolized. I just remember being in awe just watching all of the things that he could do."
The weight of joining Woods on the PGA Championship trophy finally seemed to sink in during the interview. Rai paused, a grin spreading across his face. "To have my name even with him on this trophy is," he said, "incredible."
Author James Rodriguez: "Rai's measured response to his own breakthrough is refreshing, but the real story here is that an Englishman had to wait 105 years to capture this prize again."
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