It felt appropriate that an outsider who thrives on unconventional habits emerged victorious at a bruising US PGA Championship played in the heart of Rocky Balboa country. As Aaron Rai stood in the Aronimink clubhouse, about to be celebrated as a first-time major champion, the strains of Eye of the Tiger — the anthem forever linked to Rocky III — seemed to provide the soundtrack to a memorable night in Philadelphia.
Rai does not train like a cinematic boxer, but he has his own recognizable quirks. Most visibly, he wears two gloves on the course, a habit he picked up as a child and never broke. After discovering he lacked the same feel with only one glove, he stuck with the pair for the improved grip and comfort they give him. He also uses iron covers and castle tees, small idiosyncrasies that have become part of his identity.
Those details are only one layer of a career that began in a slightly unlikely way. As a toddler, playing with his older brother’s hockey sticks led to a painful bruise and prompted his mother to go shopping for safer toys. She returned with plastic golf clubs instead of plastic hockey sticks, and a pastime was born that would eventually define his life.
Rai once dreamed of Formula 1 stardom, idolising Michael Schumacher and even wearing Ferrari shirts at junior events. But by about eight or nine years old the momentum shifted decisively toward golf, and he has pursued it ever since.
By age 10 he was coached by Andrew Proudman, who worked at the local 3 Hammers pro shop, alongside Wolverhampton professional Piers Ward. Those early mentors remain part of his support team. Years later, when another coach encountered Rai at a regional Open qualifier in Coventry, he barely recognised the teenager. The coach said Rai had matured rapidly, physically and mentally, and already looked ready for the professional ranks.
Rai has been clear about where most of the credit belongs. He spoke with deep gratitude about his parents, whose sacrifices made his progress possible. His father, Amrik, gave up his job to spend more time helping with Rai’s development, while his mother, Dalvir, worked long hours to provide financial support. Dalvir’s Kenyan-Indian heritage and the family’s willingness to back a sporting career were particularly significant, given that many in their community once prioritised conventional education and stable jobs over professional sport.
Rai remembers that his father had turned down a tennis scholarship in the United States at 20, a decision that perhaps informed his encouragement of his son’s ambitions. Rai turned professional in 2012, navigating the familiar early hurdles of life on development circuits before earning European Tour and PGA Tour status. He learned from initial struggles in majors and used those experiences to build a steadier game.
Over the years he has become a role model not only for British Asians but for young golfers from all backgrounds. Teammates and rivals have noticed his dedication. Rory McIlroy, a six-time major winner, said there was universal delight among his peers at Rai’s breakthrough. Xander Schauffele praised Rai’s relentless work ethic, noting how often Rai could be found in the gym or on the range — the unseen grind that, he said, is what it takes to become a major champion.
Those qualities were on display across an attritional tournament at Aronimink. The course was set up to punish loose shots: devilish pin positions, severely sloping greens and thick rough combined to make scoring difficult. Like every contender, Rai absorbed blows from the course and from the pressure of contention. Yet he kept moving forward, patient and precise, executing the small decisions that add up in a major.
His victory felt emblematic for a few reasons. It rewarded long-term perseverance and the quiet routines that define his play. It was achieved in Philadelphia, a city whose sporting lore will always be intertwined with the Rocky movies and their themes of resilience and defying the odds. And it added another chapter to Rai’s steady climb from a Wolverhampton boy with plastic clubs to a major champion.
In the end, Rai’s win at the 2026 US PGA Championship was more than a personal milestone. It was a reminder that unconventional habits, steadfast support from family and mentors, and relentless preparation can combine to triumph on the biggest stage. In Rocky Balboa’s backyard, the underdog prevailed.
