Aaron Rai was among the first to congratulate Robert MacIntyre as he took that momentous victory at the RBC Canadian Open earlier this summer. Likewise with Cam Davis’ victory in the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
“I will always congratulate the winner if I happen to be present. Being a member of the PGA TOUR is an incredible accomplishment, and it’s a unique road for each player. When that results in a triumph, that’s very unique.”Rai explained.
And Rai saw it firsthand on Sunday at the Wyndham Championship, as he won his first PGA TOUR title with a final-round 64.
Billy Horschel and Rai were competing in the penultimate group at Sedgefield Country Club during the long Sunday round. Since the Englishman arrived to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at the beginning of last year, the two have gotten along well.
As the two stepped to the 18th tee as the shadows grew longer, Horschel, observing the scoreboards Rai sought to avoid looking, realized a four-shot deficit had become a one-stroke advantage. Horschel inquired whether Rai wanted to know where he stood, and he said that he didn’t. He only advised his friend to maintain his strength.
Thirty seconds later, Rai said he turned to his caddy, who encouraged him to simply focus on playing a decent hole.”We are good buddies”he said.Horschel stood on the sidelines, pumping his hands and giving Rai a bear embrace as the latter holed the 8-foot birdie putt to secure the win.
“He was really encouraging to me while I was going down that hole, which was really kind of him. He was also really upbeat. It demonstrates what a class act he really is. It felt wonderful to tell him that.
I was ecstatic to share that moment with him, and I even became emotional when I heard we had won again during the score recording afterwards.” said Rai, as he sat beside the shining silver Trophy.
The “special journey” of Rai was at its peak.
Indian-born Rai grew raised in Wolverhampton, England, and has been a golfer since he was around five years old. He claims that he truly arrived to the game “by mistake.” Amrik, Rai’s father, was a skilled tennis player and encouraged his son to pick up the sport. But the decision was made to switch since his forehand seemed more like a golf swing.
Although Rai often donned Ferrari shirts and jackets when playing junior golf in honor of his favorite driver, Michael Schumacher, his goal of becoming a Formula 1 driver was dashed as well. He quickly surpassed the record of 136 putts in a row when he was a teenager, making 207 in a row as part of an advertisement campaign for a training aid. For the record, he needed around 90 minutes.
“I doubt I could make 207 consecutively now. That was quite some time ago now, I was 15 at the time.”Rai said.
Rai ascended up the European ranks, taking home three Challenge Tour victories and two DP World Tour victories. In his 89th appearance, he’s now a PGA TOUR champion. He’ll enter the FedExCup Playoffs ranked 25th and has a strong chance of making it to the TOUR Championship at East Lake.
Rai’s ascent this year is not unexpected. This year, the 29-year-old is ranked third in driving accuracy, ninth in approach, 10th in tee to green, and fourth in strokes gained overall. This year, he has six top-10 results, four of which have occurred in his last five games.
One of the keys, according to Rai, has been the work he’s done with John Graham over the past few months. Additionally, his father has assisted him in better picturing such putts. He’s gotten better in the short game, especially in bunker play.
“This year seems to be going rather steadily, adding another level of stability to what was there last year and the year before that.’Rai said.
Regarding Rai, he was still processing the victory on Sunday evening. He had a 5:30 a.m. trip to Memphis on Monday morning, where he would play in the FedEx St. Jude Championship, so he intended to phone his family and attempt to get some rest.
“I haven’t had much time to reflect about that. Being a PGA TOUR winner is, in my opinion, a dream come true in and of itself. It is an amazing feat to win on any professional golf circuit. It’s incredible to compete on the PGA TOUR, which is the highest level of golf, every week, but winning a tournament is something I’ll never forget.”Rai said.
