Ex-Formula 1 hopeful, Aaron Rai, captures historic PGA Championship, making him first English-born player in over a century.
By DOUG FERGUSON NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Aaron Rai shifted into high gear Sunday and pulled away from a world-class field with one amazing shot after another until he became the first English-born player in more than a century to capture the PGA Championship.
Rai, who dreamed of being a Formula 1 driver until he turned to golf, was three shots behind and approaching the turn atHe made a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth during a stretch when he one-putted seven straight greens to take the lead.holed a birdie putt of some 70 feetThe 31-year-old Rai, the first player of Indian heritage to win a major, closed with a 5-under 65. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele all had their chances and until they were undone by untimely mistakes or failure to get good looks at birdie.
McIlroy, who closed with a 69, played the par 5s in even for the week and he chopped up the reachable par-4 13th for a bogey. Rai, who finished at 9-under 271, is the first player from England with his name on the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919, the second edition of this major and the first after World War I.
Aaron Rai PGA Championship Historic Victory English-Born Player Formula 1 Driver Historic Majors First Indian Player To Win A Major
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