Aaron Rai and Gaurika Bishnoi. Image via: Today’s Golfer
Aaron Rai stood on the 18th green at Aronimink with the PGA Championship finally in his hands, but his thoughts drifted far beyond the trophy. After outlasting a packed leaderboard that included Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, the new major champion spoke about his wife, fellow professional golfer Gaurika Bishnoi, and the role she played in the biggest victory of his career.Rai credited Bishnoi not only for helping him handle the chaos of major championship golf, but for sharpening his mindset during the tense final stretch on Sunday. The pair even discussed strategy in the car the night before the final round, a conversation Rai admitted stayed with him throughout his march to history.
Aaron Rai opens up about wife following dramatic PGA Championship victory over Rory McIlroy
Aaron Rai’s honesty after the win revealed just how Gaurika Bishnoi influences his game.“She’s been incredible,” Rai told reporters on May 17, 2026, following the victory. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her. Both as a companion, as a friend, as someone I’m sharing my life with, but also as a real support system for my game. She’s a professional golfer herself.”The 31-year-old explained how Bishnoi’s understanding of golf gives her advice extra weight during difficult moments.“So her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself is absolutely invaluable. She encompasses so many different sides in her opinions,” Rai added. “We even had a conversation yesterday for probably 30 minutes in the car just before we got back to the hotel, just speaking a little bit about today. Again, some of the things that she mentioned in the conversations were really with me today. Yeah, I really wouldn’t be here without her.”There was a quiet authenticity to the way Rai described their relationship. He even admitted that Bishnoi regularly gets the better of him during practice sessions.“We practice quite a lot together. Honestly she beats me more times than I beat her,” Rai noted. “When we have putting contests, chipping contests, we do some wedge games on TrackMan. I do well to keep up with her. She really is that good.”
Aaron Rai becomes first Englishman to win PGA Championship in 107 years
Entering the final round, 21 players sat within four shots of the lead in one of the deepest major fields in recent memory. McIlroy, Rahm, Cameron Smith and Xander Schauffele all hovered around contention, but Rai slowly separated himself with calm precision on one of the toughest setups seen this season.His turning point came with a stunning eagle putt on the par-five ninth. From there, the Englishman never truly looked rattled again. Birdies at the 11th, 13th, 16th and 17th holes pushed him clear while others around him faded under pressure.By the time Rai walked up the 18th fairway, the history was already written. He became the first English golfer to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes in 1919.
