Aaron Rai wins US PGA Championship 105 years after last Englishman
Aaron Rai has made history by becoming the first Englishman to win the US PGA Championship since 1919. His childhood coach expresses pride as Rai joins golf’s elite.
London — Aaron Rai etched his name into golf’s record books on Sunday by claiming victory at the 2024 US PGA Championship, ending a 105-year drought for English winners. The 31-year-old defeated Rory McIlroy in a playoff at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, securing his place among the sport’s brightest stars.
Speaking from the clubhouse, Rai, whose father emigrated from India to England in the 1970s, wiped a tear from his eye as he hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy. His childhood coach, Mark Turner, was among the first to congratulate him on the course, his voice trembling with emotion. "I’ve known Aaron since he was eight years old," Turner said. "Watching him stand on that stage today, I’m not just proud—I’m overwhelmed. This is a moment I’ll never forget."
Key Points
- ✅ Aaron Rai becomes first English winner of US PGA since 1919
- ⚡ Defeated Rory McIlroy in a playoff at Valhalla Golf Club
- 💡 Rai’s father moved from India to England in the 1970s
Turner, a former club pro at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds, met Rai when he was a shy, determined child swinging a secondhand club. "He had this quiet focus," Turner recalled. "I knew early on he had something special. But even I didn’t dare dream this big."
| Aspect | Previous English Winner | 2024 Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Name | J.H. Taylor (1919) | Aaron Rai |
| Age at Win | 46 | 31 |
| Tournament Location | Engineers Country Club, Roslyn, New York | Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky |
The victory marks a turning point for English golf, which has seen its dominance wane in recent decades. Since Taylor’s win in 1919, no Englishman had come close—until now. Rai’s triumph comes just months after he lost in a playoff at the Dubai Desert Classic, a setback that only sharpened his resolve.
📋 By The Numbers
- 105 years — Time since an Englishman last won the US PGA
- 31 — Rai’s age when he claimed the title
- 2 — Playoff holes required to defeat McIlroy
Rai’s path to glory was far from guaranteed. Diagnosed with a wrist injury in 2022, he underwent surgery and spent months in rehab, questioning whether he’d ever return to form. His comeback season this year has been nothing short of remarkable, with three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and a runner-up finish at the Players Championship.
💡 Pro Tip
For aspiring golfers facing setbacks, Rai’s journey underscores the power of resilience. His ability to rebound after injury and defeat—especially after a heartbreaking loss earlier this year—shows that persistence often trumps raw talent.
McIlroy, the world No. 2, extended his own major drought with the loss, his third runner-up finish in a major this season. As Rai celebrated on the 18th green, the contrast between the two players was stark: one at the peak of his career, the other grappling with yet another near-miss.
For England, Rai’s win is more than a sporting achievement—it’s a cultural reset. Golf has long struggled to attract young, diverse talent in the UK, and Rai’s success could inspire a new generation. His father, who worked as a bus driver in Leeds, often took him to the driving range on weekends, instilling a love for the game that paid off in spades.
- 1919 — J.H. Taylor wins US PGA Championship
- 2024 — Aaron Rai ends 105-year wait for English winner
- 2024 — Rai defeats Rory McIlroy in playoff at Valhalla
The English Golf Union has already announced plans to expand junior programs in Leeds and London, citing Rai’s victory as a catalyst. "Aaron’s story is exactly what we need to show kids that dreams aren’t limited by background," said a union spokesperson. "He’s proof that hard work can rewrite history."
- 📊 Rai’s victory is the first English major win since Justin Rose at the 2018 US Open
- 🔍 His win breaks a 45-year streak of non-English major champions
- ⚠️ Despite the triumph, England still lags behind Scotland and Ireland in golf’s major winners list
As the sun set over Valhalla, Rai took a moment to reflect on the journey that led him here. From the driving ranges of Leeds to the grand stage of a major championship, his story is one of quiet determination and unshakable belief. And for England, it’s a reminder that history isn’t just something to read about—it’s something to make."