The 2026 PGA Championship ended with one of the biggest surprises in recent golf history as England’s Aaron Rai captured his first major championship at Aronimink Golf Club. Rai finished at 9-under par and won by three strokes over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, shocking many fans who expected bigger stars to take home the Wanamaker Trophy. 

Rai’s final round was outstanding under pressure. He shot a 65 on Sunday and delivered one of the defining moments of the tournament with a massive 68-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole. His calm approach and steady accuracy helped him separate from the field late in the round. Rai became the first English golfer in more than a century to win the PGA Championship. 

Jon Rahm finished as one of the tournament’s runner-ups after staying near the top of the leaderboard all weekend. Rahm’s consistency kept pressure on Rai until the final holes, while Alex Smalley impressed fans with one of the best tournaments of his career. Smalley even held the lead entering the final round before Rai surged ahead on Sunday afternoon. 

The victory instantly changes Rai’s career. Known for wearing two gloves and using iron covers on his clubs, Rai has built a reputation as one of golf’s hardest workers. Now, after winning his first major title, he has officially joined the sport’s elite players and could become one of the biggest names to watch moving forward.