Aaron Rai paid an emotional tribute to his wife after winning the PGA Championship, admitting he “wouldn’t be here without her” after completing one of the most remarkable victories of his career.
The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton etched his name into golfing history by becoming the first Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy in more than a century.
Rai held his nerve superbly at Aronimink Golf Club to secure a life-changing triumph, banking $3.69million in prize money and earning a lifetime exemption into one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
Yet despite the magnitude of his achievement, Rai revealed his immediate plans were decidedly low-key.
When asked how he intended to celebrate, his wife Gaurika Bishnoi stepped in before he could answer.
“He’ll probably have Chipotle,” she joked.
Rai then explained just how important Bishnoi’s influence has been throughout his journey to the top.
Aaron Rai paid an emotional tribute to his wife after winning the PGA Championship, admitting he “wouldn’t be here without her” after completing one of the most remarkable victories of his career
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“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her,” he said.
“She’s a professional golfer herself. So her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself, is absolutely invaluable.”
The new major champion revealed the pair had spent half an hour talking in the car on Saturday evening after he dropped a shot on the final hole of his third round.
Aaron Rai has become the first English golfer to win the PGA Championship since 1919
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Five things to know about British golfer Aaron Rai
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Far from denting his confidence, Rai said the conversation proved instrumental in helping him deliver under the most intense pressure.
“Some of the things that she mentioned in the conversations were really with me today,” he added.
Rai only learned on Saturday night that no English golfer had won the PGA Championship since 1919.
Aaron Rai embraces his wife following his PGA Championship win
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“There have been a lot of incredible and historic English players over those hundred years,” he REMARKED.
“To win this event and be the first one from England to do it in such a long time is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of.”
The calm and methodical golfer said he deliberately avoided paying too much attention to the leaderboard during a tightly contested final round.
Aaron Rai poses with his trophy following his PGA Championship win
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“Honestly, I didn’t look too much at the leaderboard,” he explained.
“The course was so punishing. You couldn’t lose a split-second of focus.”
Rai has long spoken of his admiration for Tiger Woods, recalling how he repeatedly watched VHS tapes of Woods’ early triumphs as a child.
“We used to watch them two or three times a week, if not more,” he said.
“He’s such an icon and someone that I really idolised.”
When the significance of joining Woods on the famous trophy finally sank in, Rai paused and smiled before saying: “To have my name even with him on this trophy is… incredible.”
