2026 PGA Championship: Aaron Rye Claims Victory
As the final round of the 2026 PGA Championship approached, it seemed like anyone could take the title. A remarkable 21 players were within four strokes of leader Alex Smalley, but it was Aaron Rye from Great Britain who emerged victorious at Aronimink Golf Club.
Ranked No. 44 in the world, Rye began his Sunday well, sinking a 4-foot birdie on the first hole. However, the pressures of the final round soon set in, challenging him to cope with what the course presented—a common hurdle for every player.
The situation took a turn when a poor tee shot at the tricky par-3 eighth hole landed him in a bunker. Against the odds, the 31-year-old made a four-foot putt to save a bogey, which, honestly, helped maintain some momentum as he moved onto the next hole.
On the par-5 ninth, Rye made a brilliant 40-foot eagle putt. This was a nice surprise heading into the tougher back nine, which had proven challenging for players all week. But, notably, Rye didn’t get bogged down by that narrative; he played aggressively.
For what felt like ages before the final group made the turn, the field was essentially neutral, but Rye decided to turn up the intensity.
Following another birdie at the par-4 11th, he turned things up again on the 299-yard par-4 13th hole. Faced with a risky bunker shot from 40 yards, he chose a bold path instead of playing it safe, sinking yet another birdie and extending his lead to two strokes.
Even though it looked like all players could reach the 13th green, Rye’s success there was notable since many contenders, including Nick Taylor and Rory McIlroy, struggled with bogeys on the same hole.
Ultimately, he sealed his victory with an easy birdie on the par-5 16th and a remarkable 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th. Rye played the last ten holes at an impressive six under par, finishing with a score of 65 and a three-stroke victory at nine under overall.
His fifth-under round marked one of the lowest scores ever recorded in a major championship.
Rye stood as the last player remaining from a group that included Ludwig Aberg, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, and Xander Schauffele—all of whom began the day just three strokes behind the leader. There was a sense of unpredictability throughout the tournament at Aronimink.
The week prior had led many to predict players would dominate the Donald Ross-designed course, but the anticipated bomb-and-gouge strategy didn’t play out as expected.
Interestingly, despite starting the week ranked 160th in average driving distance on the PGA Tour, Rye finished in the top tier among those competing.
Known as one of the shorter hitters on tour, Rye is also recognized for his exceptional putting. Surprisingly, his flat stick turned from a hindrance to an asset, landing him fourth in strokes gained on the greens.
With this victory, Rye becomes the first non-American golfer to lift the Wanamaker Trophy since Jason Day in 2015 and the first European winner since Rory McIlroy in 2014.
