Who is Aaron Rye? How a humble British golfer came to win the PGA Championship and why he wears two gloves | Golf News

Aaron Rye became the first British player in 107 years to win the PGA Championship on Sunday, climbing to the top of a crowded leaderboard and winning his first major title by three strokes.

The Wolverhampton-born golfer banked a check for $3.69 million (£2.76 million) and a lifetime exemption to play in the PGA Championship.

But in a testament to the Brit’s modesty, Lai explained that he planned to keep the celebrations low-key, saying he and his wife would “probably just go to Chipotle.”

Lai is regarded by many of his peers as one of the most humble players on the PGA Tour. Jon Rahm, who finished tied for second place, three strokes behind Rye, praised the 31-year-old on Sunday.

“I didn’t spend a lot of time with him, but I’ve heard consistently that there are very few people as nice and kind as Aaron Rye,” Rahm said.

The Spaniard added: “What he did today was nothing short of special.”

it has been. Rai, who hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy into the air Sunday afternoon at Aronimink Golf Club, has enjoyed a storied rise to the top of the golf world. Here’s how it happened.

When did Rai start playing golf?

Rye was born in Wombourne, Staffordshire, in 1995 into a working-class family. His mother, Ms Dalville, emigrated to the UK from Kenya and worked multiple jobs, particularly as a mental health nurse. His father, Amrik, whose family is from India, was an amateur tennis player and worked as a community worker.

As a child, Rai wanted to become a Formula 1 driver, as no one in his family had ever played golf.

He was introduced to golf after his father told him that his tennis stroke looked like he was swinging a driver. His father bought him a set of plastic golf clubs. And the rest is history.

His family quickly realized that Rai had a special talent. The British player competed in his first tournament at the age of four, competing against children nearly three times his age. He went on to win the net division of that event.

From there, his family supported his journey to becoming a professional. His father read books to learn more about the golf swing and taught Rye the fundamentals of the game.

“It’s probably hard for me to express all my feelings for them (my parents),” the 31-year-old said Sunday of the sacrifices his parents made.

“I think I’m too emotional to talk about it. It started with my dad, and he took me to practice every day until I was 4 or 5. My dad actually quit his job and started focusing on my golf at a really young age.”

“My mom was also a really great person. She works very long hours just to provide for the family. She’s done a lot, and her support has been phenomenal.”

“Words cannot express how much they have done for me in terms of support, care and love. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Healthy reasons to wear a head cover on your irons

Rye is one of the few players on the PGA Tour who still chooses to wear headcovers on his irons, and there’s a healthy reason for that.

When he was seven years old, his father bought him a set of state-of-the-art Titleist 690MBs. Lai explained that he always wears a headcover with his clubs to “recognize the value of what you have.”

“I grew up in a working class family and golf was always a very expensive sport,” Lai told the PGA Tour’s SiriusXM.

“My dad paid for my equipment, dues and entry fees. To be honest, it wasn’t money we really had, but he always bought me the best clubs.

“I cherished (the Titleist 690MB). When we went to practice, he cleaned all the grooves afterwards with pins and baby oil and thought it would be a good idea to put an iron cover on to protect the golf club.”

“Since then, I have put iron covers on all my sets just to understand the value of what I have.”

For Rahm, Rai’s decision to keep headcovers on his irons was a testament to his British character.

“Is there anyone out there who admires irons as a kid and wants to respect the equipment and wears or uses head covers on their clubs?” Rahm said Sunday. “That says a lot about that person.”

Rai is also one of the few players who prefers to wear two gloves. Typically, golfers only wear one glove on their lead hand. In rainy or cold conditions, players may wear two gloves.

When Rai’s father was young, he contacted a local newspaper to find sponsorship opportunities for his son. The man replied and asked if I wanted to use gloves.

“It was all-weather, so I wore one in each hand,” Lai, who has remained loyal to the brand over the years, told Golf Digest.

“I loved it. During practice, I forgot one glove and had to play with the other. It was the worst. I played with two gloves for 20 years, and it’s still the same brand, McWet.”

Who is his wife? And which golf tour did she go on?

Another person who played a big role in Rai’s rise to the top is his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, a former Ladies European Tour (LET) player.

Bishnoi starred in the 2025 Masters Par 3 Contest, hitting the ball closer to the pin than his partner on the ninth hole.

“Her perspective, advice and thoughts are really valuable, whether it’s technique or how I carry myself,” Lai said. “She encompasses so many different sides in her opinion.

“Yesterday, we talked for probably 30 minutes in the car before we went back to the hotel, and we talked a little bit about our day, and some of the things she said in that conversation really resonated with me.

“I really wouldn’t be here without her.”

Rye’s path to the PGA Tour

The British player turned professional in 2012 and joined the Challenge Tour (a feeder series of the DP World Tour) in 2017. He earned his DP World Tour card at the end of the same year and earned his first victory on the circuit at the 2018 Hong Kong Open.

He won his second DP World Tour title at the 2020 Scottish Open and earned his PGA Tour card 12 months later at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals.

Rai’s first PGA Tour victory came at the 2024 Wyndham Championship, and his most recent win was the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in November.

He attributes much of his success to the work ethic instilled in him by his parents at an early age.

“We have a lot of players who work very hard,” Lai said. “The level on the PGA Tour is very strong, especially in the major championships. So I think that’s a prerequisite for what it takes to compete here.”

“It’s reaffirming that what we’re doing is working and leading to continued development within the game. Hopefully, we can continue to move along much the same path in the future.”

Rai added of his relentless work ethic: “I think a lot of that is due to the upbringing of my mother, father, and siblings.

“Golf was always a big part of my life from an early age, but my mom and brother quickly continued to emphasize the importance of just being a good person away from golf.”

What’s next for Rai?

Rai’s victory at Aronimink and Rory McIlroy’s victory at the Masters mark the first time in the modern major era that two European players have won the first two majors of a golf season.

The Englishman’s attention will soon return to the PGA Tour, but talk has been swirling about his inclusion in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

Sky Sports golf analyst Wayne Reilly said on Sunday: “If the course is solid and fast, he has a chance to play in the US Open and British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.”

“A lot of players like Rory McIlroy thrive there.

“But against a tactician who hits the fairway, never gets out of position, and holes a few putts, you’re going to get beat.

“Rye never misses a beat. He works at his job and is a great player.

“He will be a great addition to our European Ryder Cup team.”

Lai is an experienced player, and although he didn’t qualify for The Players, he has two top-five finishes so far this season and his stock is on the rise. His game will suit Sinek Hills, the site of next month’s U.S. Open. This is a course that requires precision in all areas of the game.

But true to his humble nature, Rai is taking things one step at a time. As of this writing, the British player is currently in the area to compete in next week’s PGA Tour event, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

“I’m consciously trying not to focus too much on it (the Ryder Cup),” Lai said. “Whether it’s the Ryder Cup or the next major, these things are always around. You can never completely ignore them, but I try not to focus on them as real motivation to push me forward.”

“I’m hoping to continue pretty much the same way as this in terms of practice, training and application for games. We’ll see where it takes me.”

What happens on Sky Sports Golf?

The PGA Tour heads to Dallas, Texas next week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where Scottie Scheffler will once again look to defend his title.

You can watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports. Early coverage of the first round begins on Sky Sports+ at 12:45pm on Thursday, with full coverage beginning on Sky Sports Golf at 5pm. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.