Aaron Rai Says PGA Championship Win Still Hasn’t Fully Sunk In

Aaron Rai speaks at The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, making his first start since winning the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink. Rai says life has not changed dramatically, but the first few days after the victory were busy and he has tried to sit with the achievement and let it sink in. He admits he still has not fully processed becoming a major champion. He also reflects on the emotional moment when his father visited him in Jacksonville after the win. Rai says his father is not usually very emotional, but that his hug and smile felt different, and their conversation helped him understand the weight of what he had achieved. Rai explains how his difficult Sunday at Myrtle Beach the week before the PGA Championship became invaluable. Being in the final group, struggling through mistakes and learning where his mind went helped him make better adjustments when he was closing out the PGA. Looking ahead to Muirfield Village, Rai calls the course extremely demanding and says it requires a complete game. He compares the setup to a major championship test, with decision-making, execution, recovery and planning all playing a major role. Rai also talks about the weight of the Wanamaker Trophy, being recognized at a supermarket after winning, receiving congratulations from the Royal Family, and getting a surprise Philadelphia Eagles hat from the team after his PGA Championship win.