The final day of the 2026 PGA Championship delivered one of the most dramatic Sunday finishes in recent major history, as England’s Aaron Rai stormed through the field to claim his first ever major championship. Starting the day just off the lead in a packed leader board, Rai produced a sensational final-round 65 to finish at 9-under-par, securing a three-shot victory at Aronimink Golf Club. His win ends a 107-year wait for an English PGA Champion, making him the first Englishman since Jim Barnes in 1919 to lift the Wanamaker Trophy. (Reuters)
What made Rai’s victory even more impressive was the way he handled the pressure. With over 20 players realistically in contention entering Sunday, the leader board was constantly changing throughout the afternoon. Rai responded with fearless golf, including a huge eagle on the 9th hole and a stunning 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th that effectively sealed the championship. Jon Rahm pushed hard late on and finished runner-up alongside Alex Smalley at 6-under, while Ludvig Åberg, Justin Thomas and Matti Schmid all shared fourth place. (Reuters)
Many of the pre-tournament favourites failed to make a final-day charge. Scottie Scheffler never fully found the momentum needed to defend his title, while Rory McIlroy’s hopes faded after a difficult opening round earlier in the week. Despite briefly threatening the leader board with an impressive Saturday recovery, McIlroy ultimately finished five shots back. However, one of the standout performances of the final round came from Kurt Kitayama, who fired a historic 63 — one of the lowest final rounds ever recorded in a major championship. (Sky Sports)
For Aaron Rai, this feels like a true breakthrough moment in world golf. Known for his calm personality and unique two-glove style, Rai has quietly built a reputation as one of the most consistent ball-strikers on tour. Now, he’s officially a major champion. Alongside the Wanamaker Trophy, Rai also takes home a record-breaking $3.69 million winner’s prize and lifetime exemptions into future PGA Championships. More importantly, he leaves Aronimink as one of the biggest stories in golf — and potentially one of the sport’s next major stars. (bbc.co.uk)