Aaron Rai (born 3 March 1995) is an English professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour. He has won three times on the European Tour and twice on the PGA Tour.
๐ Early Life and Background
Aaron Raiโs parents were Amrik Singh and Dalvir Shukla, of Indian descent. His father was born in England to immigrants from India, and his mother immigrated to England from Kenya as a teenager. Rai grew up with three older siblings and attended Wolverhampton Grammar School for his secondary education.
โณ Introduction to Golf
Rai was introduced to golf at age four after accidentally being struck by his brotherโs hockey stick. His early childhood hobbies included a passion for Formula 1 racing. He practiced at the Three Hammers Golf Complex from age four and joined Patshull Park at age five.
๐ Professional Career Beginnings
Rai turned professional in 2012. He played on the PGA EuroPro Tour in 2014 and 2015, winning the 2015 Glenfarclas Open after a playoff. He was promoted to the Challenge Tour for 2016.
๐ Challenge Tour Success
2017 was a successful season for Rai, with three wins on the Challenge Tour. He won the Barclays Kenya Open, the Andalucรญa Costa del Sol Match Play 9, and the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge. The third win gave him an immediate entry to the European Tour.
๐ European Tour Victories
Rai won the 2018 Honma Hong Kong Open, the first event of the 2019 European Tour season. In September 2020, he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff to win the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
๐บ๐ธ PGA Tour Career
In August 2021, Rai secured his PGA Tour card for the 2021โ22 season via the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. A successful 2024 season saw him claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship. In November 2025, he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff to win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.
๐ Major Championship Win
On May 17, 2026, Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship with a score of 271, 9 shots under par. His final round of 65 included holing a 69-foot putt for birdie on the 17th green at Aronimink Golf Club.
๐ Personal Life
Rai was born and raised in Wolverhampton, England. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida and practices at nearby TPC at Sawgrass. He is married to Gaurika Bishnoi, a professional golfer from India.
| Year | Tournament | Tour | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Honma Hong Kong Open | European Tour | Win |
| 2020 | Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open | European Tour | Win |
| 2024 | Wyndham Championship | PGA Tour | Win |
| 2026 | PGA Championship | PGA Tour | Win |