Aaron Rai was the surprise winner at the PGA Championship after coming out on top by three shots over LIV Golf's Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley at Aronimink Golf Club to claim his first major title.
The English man, of Indian and Kenyan heritage, claimed his maiden major title after completing a sensational three-shot victory, after going into the final round two strokes back and three behind with 10 holes to play. However, a 40-foot eagle at the par-five ninth sparked a push up what was a congested leaderboard, with the world No 44 posting two birdies in a three-hole stretch from the 11th and adding back-to-back gains from the 16th, including a sensational 70-foot putt at the par-three 17th.
"I can't put into words how I feel,” the 31-year-old, from Wolverhampton, said after the win. He said his folks always encouraged him to pursue his dream - especially his father, who turned down a tennis scholarship in the US at the age of 20.
Like the rest of the field, Rai had to take some punches from a course set-up which wanted to inflict pain with its devilish pins, severely sloping greens and thick rough. But, as Rocky famously said, it ain't about how hard you hit - it's about how hard you get hit and can keep moving forward – Rai is the proof!