Aaron Rai wins PGA Championship for first major title at Aronimink

Aaron Rai of England won the PGA Championship on Sunday, capturing his first major title with a final-round 65 to finish at nine under par and claim a three-shot victory at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 31-year-old became the first English-born player to win the event since Jim Barnes in 1919, ending a decade-long streak of American champions.

Rai began the final round two strokes behind 54-hole leader Alex Smalley and was three shots back with ten holes to play. His round transformed at the par-5 ninth hole, where he sank a 40-foot eagle putt during a stretch where he one-putted seven consecutive greens to seize control. He took sole possession of the lead with a birdie at the 13th hole and sealed the victory with a long birdie putt, reported to be approximately 70 feet, on the par-3 17th.

He finished three strokes ahead of Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Alex Smalley, who tied for second at six under par. Justin Thomas posted a 65 early to set the clubhouse lead at five under, which ultimately earned him a tie for fourth. The victory was achieved from a tightly packed field, with a PGA Championship record 22 players within four shots of the lead...