After his breakthrough major win at Aronimink, Aaron Rai received something special in the mail, a handwritten congratulations letter from Jack Nicklaus.
Aaron Rai admits it took several days for his PGA Championship victory to truly sink in. From lifting the famously heavy Wanamaker Trophy to receiving recognition from the Royal Family, the Englishman is still adjusting to life as a major champion.
Jack Nicklaus believes the PGA Tour’s increasingly crowded schedule could hurt both players and tournaments. Speaking ahead of the Memorial Tournament, the 18-time major champion warned that a run of signature events and major championships leaves little time for players to recover, increasing the risk of burnout and injury.
Out of Rai’s unlikely win came the usual avalanche of anecdotes and highlights, but perhaps none more awwww-inspiring than this fan video which, through sheer luck, captured Rai’s wife’s reaction to her husband’s 68-foot bomb on the 17th hole.
Although most tour pros opt for the latest and greatest in equipment, Rai relies on venerable and familiar, with just one of his 14 clubs introduced in the past 12 months with some several years old.
Asked if there was an ideal strategy for staying focused during a long clubhouse wait, Thomas recalled a hilarious story about what not to do, which he learned the hard way at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
Like a Melbourne Cup field bunching up at the final bend at Flemington in November, 30 players will start the final round at Aronimink Golf Club within five strokes of the lead, 29 of those separated by just three strokes.
Australian Golf Digest
