'We All Admire Him': Aaron Rai Is a PGA Champion For Our Times

PHILADELPHIA—On Sunday evening, as Aaron Rai was tearing up the back nine at Aronimink to snatch this PGA Championship, a couple of proper British blokes were discussing what is the most English thing about Rai.

“It’s the Brummie accent,” said Mark Fulcher, Justin Rose’s caddie, referencing the melodic, sing-songy lilt that evokes Rai’s hometown of Wolverhampton in the Midlands of England. “But don’t call it that because he might be insulted. Call it a Black Country accent. They are very, very proud people.”

And why is that?

“Because that’s where the Industrial Revolution began,” said Rose, cleaning out his locker after a tie for tenth. “That is an important part of England’s history.”

“There is a big Indian base there,” said Fulcher. “Best curries in the world,” mused Rose.

What are the other hallmarks of the Black Country? “Hardworking, tough people,” said Rose. “Gritty. Dedicated to getting the job done.”

Rai modeled all of that during a starmaking performance on Sunday. While every other contender was flummoxed by Aronimink’s diabolical greens and suffocating rough, Rai roared to victory by playing the final ten holes in 6-under for a three stroke victory over a resurgent Jon Rahm and noted mama’s boy Alex Smalley.

“There won’t be a more popular winner this year,” said Rory McIlroy, whose wayward driving doomed him to a tie for 7th.

That’s because Rai is, according to Maverick McNealy, “literally the nicest guy in the world.”

“He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” says Max Greyserman. “He’s such a sweet, gentle person.”

“He’s very calm,” says Martin Kaymer. “I think he’s into Buddhism. It shows in his peacefulness.”

Rai is actually Sikh, one of the many ways he differs from the hunting-and-fishing SEC frat boys who populate professional golf. His father Amrik Singh was a standout tennis player who shelved his dreams of playing professionally to nurture his son’s golf talent; father and son read golf books and magazines and obsessively watched VHS tapes of Tiger Woods to learn about the game. Aaron’s mother Dalvir Shukla worked long shifts as a nurse to support the family but money was so tight that Rai learned the game with rag-tag hand-me-down clubs. (He famously uses iron covers to this day because he is obsessed with keeping his fancy clubs pristine, a window into Rai’s humility.) After a modestly successful amateur career, Rai turned pro at 22. He slowly, methodically worked his up the ladder in Europe, finally breaking through with a win at the 2018 Hong Kong Open. He’s never been long off the tee but, says Bud Cauley, “He hits it incredibly straight. Even in today’s game, there’s a place for a guy who almost never misses a fairway or green.”

Aaron doesn't wear nice watches. He doesn’t drink or smoke. He doesn’t do social media. Everything in our life is about simplicity.

In 2021, as the reigning Scottish Open, Rai bet on himself by entering the Boise Open as part of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. A runner-up finish punched his ticket to the PGA TOUR. Rai immediately cut a distinctive figure, and not just because he wears gloves on both hands. (Hey, it gets cold in England!) His work ethic quickly became legendary on Tour. “There have been many, many practice session that go ‘til dark,” says his caddie Jason Timmis. “I promise you, no one is outworking him.”

“There is a humbleness in how he works,” says Rose. “He has a belief system that is very strong. We all admire him because he does things his own way.”

Rai stands out in other ways. Having settled in Jacksonville, he imported a white-on-red, right-hand drive, stick shift 1997 Honda Integra DC2 Type R, a cult classic among gearheads. Rai had loved the cars growing up and spent years searching for one to buy. “It was kind of a boyhood dream,” he says.

“I swear it has 14” rims,” says Rose. “It’s a very—how should I put it?—unique car. But that’s Aaron for you. He cherishes that car.”

“He would never drive a fancy new car,” says Rai’s wife Gaurika Bishnoi. “We're extremely simple people. We live a very simple life. We live in a nice, simple house. Aaron doesn't wear nice watches. He doesn’t drink or smoke. He doesn’t do social media. Everything in our life is about simplicity.”

They had a meet cute at the 2018 Indian Open. Gaurika’s brother was serving as a standard-bearer in Rai’s group and she followed him in solidarity. She began chatting with Rai’s mother who was charmed enough to insist on fixing her up with her son. Gaurika is hardly a trophy wife: she has eight career victories on India’s Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour and has competed on the Ladies European Tour. She often practices alongside her hubby and regularly beats him in chipping and putting contests. But Gaurika’s biggest contribution is as Aaron’s de facto sports psychologist. “I used to be like, Do you not believe that you can win?” she says. “Like, why would you not say it?” Aaron’s reply? “Because the moment I say it, I'm just putting too much pressure on myself.” Wins at the 2024 Wyndham Championship and in Abu Dhabi in ‘25 (in a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood) helped Rai believe in his star potential. A third round 67 at this PGA Championship propelled him into contention but afterward he needed another pep talk from his wife. “He did say that maybe sometimes I fear the things around me are going to change too much if I do something too serious about it,” says Gaurika.

He went and did it anyway. Sunday evening, Rai lifted golf’s biggest trophy while elevating an entire sport. In these contentious times, we are lucky to have such a humble, likable champion. Perhaps it’s now time to splurge on a new car?

“Oh no, I could never!” Rai said, horrified. “I am who I am.”