The man who wears two gloves now has one major championship.
Aaron Rai blitzed the field on the back nine Sunday to hold off a star-studded leaderboard and win the PGA Championship at Arnonimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia.
The win for Rai, 31, from England, gives Detroit’s Rocket Classic another major champion committed to the 2026 tournament, set for July 30-Aug. 2 at Detroit Golf Club. Rai has signed up to play the Rocket Classic for the third time, tournament officials confirmed Sunday. And he’s had some success here, finishing tied for second in 2024 and tied for ninth in 2023. He didn’t play the tournament in 2025.
Rai now has won twice on the PGA Tour, including the 2024 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
It’s worth noting, Aronimink and Sedgefield both are Donald Ross courses. Also a Ross course is Detroit Golf Club, which will host the Rocket Classic for the eighth time. DGC, for the 2026 Rocket, is unveiling a massive renovation to its tournament course.
Rai shot a 5-under 65 on Sunday to finish at 9 under and win the PGA Championship by three strokes over runner-up Jon Rahm. Justin Thomas finished another stroke back at 5 under, and Rory McIlroy was 4 under.
Rai’s 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole Sunday sealed the championship.
Rai’s summer playing schedule is subject to change, of course, but as of now, the Rocket has at least three major champions committed, including Xander Schauffele (2024 PGA Championship and Open Championship) and Keegan Bradley (2011 PGA Championship).
Last year, after winning the U.S. Open, Rocket commitment J.J. Spaun pulled out of the tournament in Detroit.
2026 Rocket Classic commitments
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Aaron Rai, who just won the PGA Championship, is committed to Detroit
Reporting by Tony Paul, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
