Ahead of the final round of the PGA Championship, it was still anyone's guess as to who would lift the Wanamaker Trophy at Aronimink.
While Alex Smalley had a two-stroke lead at six under, dozens of players were still in with a realistic chance of claiming the title, such was the bunched nature of the leaderboard.
Lurking not far behind were superstars including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler, but eventually it was Aaron Rai who took control of proceedings to claim his maiden Major title in style.
Previously, the only Englishman to take the title had been Jim Barnes, who won the first two editions of the PGA Championship in 1916 and 1919, but Rai wasn't about to let the chance to end that long run slip.
Rai began the day two back of Smalley, along with the likes of Rahm, but it was the Spaniard, in the group immediately behind Rai, who looked like the man to stop at first, beginning his round with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes as he tied the lead.
Rai also birdied the first, but he then had a run of inconsistency, with one more birdie but three bogeys in the next seven holes.
However, if he didn't appear likely to challenge at that stage, a brilliant 39-foot putt for eagle at the ninth dragged him firmly into the conversation - not the last time he would hole a monster putt on Sunday.
The moment of magic took him to five under, level with Justin Thomas, who was back in the clubhouse, and firmly in the mix alongside the likes of McIlroy, Rahm, Cameron Smith, Smalley and Matti Schmid, who at that stage led by one at six under.
While none of those players could be written off, it already had the look of a "nearly" day for McIlroy, who failed to build on a second-hole birdie with a run of frustrating pars.
Rahm, meanwhile, suffered setbacks with bogeys at the third and seventh to check his progress before a birdie at the ninth brought him back to within one.
On the 11th, Rai joined Schmid at the top of the leaderboard for the first time, and when the German bogeyed the 10th, the Englishman had the solo lead.
McIlroy's chances faded even further with a bogey at the 13th to drop three back of Rai, who moved to seven under with a birdie at the same hole shortly afterwards.
Things tightened again when McIlroy moved back within two with his final birdie of the tournament at the 14th, and Schmid reduced Rai's lead to one with a birdie at the 13th.
While that still left the outcome up in the air, by the 16th, things began to look a lot clearer. First Rai, then Rahm, birdied the hole, but Rai did so having almost made an eagle following a brilliant approach at the par-5.
That gave him a two-stroke lead with two to play, and, given the assured way he was handling the back nine - and the pressure of closing in on the title, it looked a near-certainty he would hang on.
In the end, he didn't hang on at all, instead storming to the title, encapsulated by a moment of sheer brilliance at the 17th, when he drained a 69-foot birdie putt to move three clear at nine under.
UNBELIEVABLE FROM AARON RAI. 🤯He drains a 70-footer at the 17th to move to 9-under and open up a three-shot lead with one hole to play.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/9CLcqoVXJ7May 17, 2026
All Rai needed to do was hold his nerve at the 18th, and he never looked like crumbling, finishing with a par for a three-stroke clubhouse lead.
That left his victory a virtual formality, and when the remaining players on the course couldn't produce the necessary heroics over the closing holes, Rai's hugely impressive victory was confirmed, with Rahm and Smalley finishing T2.
Following his victory, Rai spoke about how much it meant to him to become the first Englishman in over 100 years to win the title.
He said: "Extremely, extremely proud. There's a lot of incredible and historic English players over those hundred years who have gone on to achieve incredible things and had phenomenal careers.
"But to win this event and then to be the person that's the first one to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of."
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HELLO AND WELCOME
Welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of the 2026 PGA Championship final round.
We have an all-timer in store today with a leaderboard like I have never seen before. Nobody has a clue who will come out on top later at Aronimink.
As always, please leave your comments below and we'll make sure to feature them in the blog. Thanks for tuning in.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER UNDERWAY
The World No.1 gets underway a remarkable two-and-a-half hours before Alex Smalley and Matti Schmid in the final group.
Scheffler is only five back and could well go on a run today, but he'll need to be better with his putter.
ROUND OF THE WEEK
Kurt Kitayama has just birdied the 18th to shoot 63 (-7), the best round of the week so far by two strokes.
The California has vaulted up 57 places on the leaderboard to T7th.
Kurt Kitayama's 63 ties the lowest final round score in Major Championship history. pic.twitter.com/USkm1tdq9VMay 17, 2026
SUNDAY'S WEATHER FORECAST
Today is the hottest of the week and also the calmest, so conditions should be a little easier in the afternoon compared to yesterday. Hopefully the rain stays away.
BETTING ODDS
Here's how the odds look heading into the final round. I must say I am surprised to see Smalley as favorite...
- Alex Smalley 9/2
- Jon Rahm 11/2
- Ludvig Aberg 13/2
- Rory McIlroy 13/2
- Xander Schauffele 12/1
- Nick Taylor 16/1
- Aaron Rai 16/1
- Scottie Scheffler 20/1
- Patrick Reed 22/1
LOW CLUB PRO BEN KERN:
"It's very special. Obviously, once I got into the business, it was a goal to get out here and play in this kind of event. It's a once-in-a-year opportunity that I've had the chance to play in three. It's very special to be in this field and then to walk away with low club pro, it's everything."
Kern shot a very respectable 72 (+2) today and is currently in 81st-place at 10-over-par.
SCOTTIE ON THE MOVE
The World No.1 holes a long right-to-left birdie putt at the 2nd hole to move to two-under-par.
Many more are needed, but it is just the start he will have been looking for.
MATT FITZPATRICK MAKING MOVES TODAY
The Englishman has been one of the best players in the world this year, and he is climbing the leaderboard after a fourth birdie of the day at the par 4 13th.
He is four-under for the round and one-under for the tournament, which has him in T26th.
SCHEFFLER HITS A BEAUTY INTO 3
The World No.1 has 108 yards in from the middle of the fairway and pitches his wedge long and left before it spins back and rolls down the hill towards the hole.
He'll have inside 5ft to go two-under thru 3.
SCHEFFLER MISSES!
Ouch. The World No.1's short birdie effort at the 3rd lips out. It's just a par-birdie-par start for Scheffler, who needs to go low today to defend his Wanamaker.
The putting has really cost him this week. It's the same story with Brooks Koepka (-1), who has just missed from 5ft at the 1st to make a bogey.
NOT TOO MANY GROUPS LEFT NOW...
We have under 2hrs until the final pairings gets underway, here's a reminder of who is yet to start:
- 12.55pm: Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman
- 1.05pm: Ben Griffin, Cameron Smith
- 1.15pm: Martin Kaymer, Bud Cauley
- 1.25pm: Justin Rose, Joaquin Niemann
- 1.35pm: Kristoffer Reitan, Chris Kirk
- 1.55pm: Patrick Reed, Maverick McNealy
- 2.05pm: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele
- 2.15pm: Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg
- 2.25pm: Nick Taylor, Jon Rahm
- 2.35pm: Alex Smalley, Matti Schmid
FANTASTIC CROWDS
Huge crowds watch Scottie Scheffler hit his opening tee shot. A regular Philadelphia event needs to be on the PGA Tour schedule.
WHAT DO WE MAKE OF NIKE'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP SHOES?
Nike's PGA shoes divided the Golf Monthly office, and they are everywhere on-screen TV with Scheffler, Koepka, Gotterup and others wearing them.
I must say, I am a fan.
JUSTIN ROSE PUNS
The McLaren man is "on the softs today and on an aggressive pit strategy," No Laying Up's Tron Carter jokes on X.
Hopefully the Englishman survives the opening corner and can start making his way through the field. He's two-under-par and just four back of Smalley's lead.
I think a Rose win would be the story of the day.
JUSTIN THOMAS TURNS IN TWO-UNDER
The 2017 and 2022 PGA Champion is out in two-under-par, which is the same as his total score for the championship.
He is going to need to go extremely low on the back nine to have a realistic chance, but either way it has been a solid performance from the former World No.1 this week. He had a back operation last fall and only returned to pro golf in March. It has been good to see him back playing well.
HARRIS ENGLISH MOVING
The US Ryder Cup man birdies 2 and 3 to get up to three-under-par.
I've barely seen him hit a shot this week but the World No.21 could be a real contender.
The five-time PGA Tour winner was T2nd here last year and again finished runner-up at The Open.
SCHEFFLER IN TROUBLE AT 5
The World No.1 misses the par 3 long-left and his chip runs 9ft past. Big putt coming up. It feels like a must-make already.
It misses. Scheffler back to one-under. Not what he was looking for after having a 5-footer to go two-under for the day on the 3rd.
JUSTIN THOMAS FINDS THE WATER ON 10
Thomas' second shot finds the water short-left of the green on the 10th and that will be his slim hopes of lifting the title over.
The former World No.1 is currently two-under and could well be dropping back to level-par.
MATT FITZPATRICK BIRDIE
The Englishman birdies the par 5 16th after finding the green in two. He moves to five-under mfor the day and it up to T14th now at -2.
HARRIS ENGLISH IN TIGHT AT 6
English wedges it close to the front-right pin on the short par 4 and he has that go move to three-under for the day and four-under for the tournament.
Update: He misses
SOME HUGE POTENTIAL STORYLINES TODAY...
- Rory McIlroy could win his 7th Major and move to 2/4 in the 2026 calendar slam.
- Jon Rahm could win his 3rd Major and Spain's first ever PGA Championship, completing the nation's slam. He would arrive at Royal Birkdale in July with the chance to complete the career grand slam.
- Ludvig Aberg joins the Major ranks.
- Justin Rose wins his 2nd Major title and first in almost 13 years.
- Aaron Rai, or Rose, end England's 100+ year curse in the PGA Championship.
- Alex Smalley wins his first pro title at the PGA Championship.
- Hideki Matsuyama becomes a two-time Major champion. In both The Masters and PGA for life
- Cameron Smith could also become a two-time Major champion...incredibly he is just four back heading into Sunday, despite barely being mentioned this week
- Another LIV Golfer, Joaquin Niemann, could win his first Major. He's also at two-under.
CAM SMITH IN TIGHT AT 2
The Aussie, working with Claude Harmon now, hits a beautiful wedge into the 2nd and should be able to move up to three-under.
Update: He holes it, great putt
JUSTIN THOMAS UPDATE
I made a slight error earlier on the 10th hole. Thomas' ball did not find the water, just the bank, and he got it up-and-down for a big par save.
Well, he has just birdied the 11th hole and has moved up to three-under-par for the tournament.
ROSE AND NIEMANN UNDERWAY
Two big names have just started their rounds, and they both split the fairway.
The pair are two-under-par and just four back of Smalley's six-under total. Surely one of them will go low today.
MATT FITZPATRICK CLOSES WITH A 65
Brilliant round for the Englishman, who finishes up with a bogey-free 65 to climb up 36 spots to T16th.
SCHEFFLER STALLING
The World No.1 is level-par for his first eight holes today, keeping him at one-under for the tournament.
He is currently in T26th and running out of holes, so it doesn't look like it is going to be his day.
Joaquin Niemann has just hit a beauty into the 1st and should tap in for an opening birdie and move to three-under.
JUST FIVE GROUPS REMAINING:
- 1.55pm: Patrick Reed, Maverick McNealy
- 2.05pm: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele
- 2.15pm: Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg
- 2.25pm: Nick Taylor, Jon Rahm
- 2.35pm: Alex Smalley, Matti Schmid
BIRDIE FOR JUSTIN ROSE!
Rose holes a 20-footer on the 1st to move to three-under. Huge start!
Justin Rose gets his Final Round off to a flyer with a birdie at the 1st. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/iziveiWVjcMay 17, 2026
Niemann also birdies.
HIDEKI!
Hideki Matsuyama makes his third birdie of the day at the 5th to get to four-under-par. Great start!
Hideki Matsuyama’s putter is heating up. 🔥Back-to-back birdies move him to 4-under at Aronimink.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/AFUYDLaC4eMay 17, 2026
NICE FROM NIEMANN AT 2
The LIV star pitches one up close again at the 2nd, with playing partner Rose flaring his wedge out around 25ft short-right.
Could Niemann win this? If he holes that he moves to four-under-par after a birdie-birdie start. He is so in this...and so is Justin Rose, as well as 25 other players.
Update: Niemann holes, Rose misses
SCHEFFLER BIRDIES 9
Scottie two-putts from just off the front of the par 5 green to turn in one-under-par.
He is now two-under for the tournament and needs something very low on the back nine to stand a chance.
MISSED CHANCE FOR HIDEKI
Matsuyama pulls a short-ish putt for birdie just left on the 6th to spurn a very good chance to reach five-under.
RORY MCILROY UP NEXT
McIlroy and Xander Schauffele take to the 1st tee next. Both are multiple Major winners and they're each at three-under-par.
I feel they both have very important roles to play in the tournament this afternoon.
CAM SMITH TO FOUR!
Cameron Smith birdies the 4th to climb up to 2nd at four-under-par.
Cam Smith moves into a tie for second with his second birdie in four holes at the 4th. 👏#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/YegbyEQiZVMay 17, 2026
The LIV guys are flying high this week. Smith, Rahm or Niemann could easily win this.
...just as I write that, Niemann knifes a wedge through the back of the 3rd and will struggle to save par.
MCILROY UNDERWAY
The six-time Major champion pushes his opening drive up the right side of the 1st. It may be in a bunker or the rough, I'm not quite sure. But either way, not ideal.
Xander Schauffele, with a 3-wood in hand, misses the fairway left.
NIEMANN DROPS BACK
After knifing his wedge through the back of the 3rd hole, Niemann manages to hole a 15-footer to save bogey.
He and playing partner Rose are now tied at three-under.
RAI AND LUDVIG ARE OFF
Starting the day two strokes behind leader Alex Smalley, Aaron Rai and Ludvig Aberg have now teed off. Can either of them catch Smalley?
CRAZY LEADERBOARD
Have you ever seen anything like this? 16 players are within touching distance of Alex Smalley at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard:
There are now SIXTEEN players within three of the lead at the @PGAChampionship.1. Smalley, -62. Matsuyama, -42. Smith, -42. McNealy, -42. Schmid, -42. Taylor, -42. Rahm, -42. Rai, -42. Åberg, -410. Kitayama, -310. Thomas, -310. Gotterup, -310. Rose, -310. Niemann,… pic.twitter.com/EB6EaME0pgMay 17, 2026
JT RIGHT BACK IN THE MIX
What a day Justin Thomas is having. He makes birdie on the 15th to hit -4 for the day and go T3:
Justin Thomas rolls in the birdie putt at the 15th to move into a tie for second. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Xcuwx6oUoEMay 17, 2026
IMMEDIATE BIRDIE FOR RAI
One hole down and one birdie on the scorecard today for Aaron Rai. He played the first hole perfectly, finding the fairway with his drive before hitting a delightful approach onto the green and sinking the putt.
He's now at five-under and is solo second (for now).
Aaron Rai opens his final round with a birdie to move into solo second at 5-under. ⬆️#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/6K22g5zLQhMay 17, 2026
MCILROY MAKES BIRDIE
Wonderful play by Rory McIlroy on hole 2. He lands his approach shot within a couple of feet and putts for birdie.
He's now -4 for the week and two strokes back.
HERE COMES RAHMBO
Jon Rahm saw Aaron Rai make birdie on the first and decided he wanted to do the same. The Spaniard is now T2 at five-under.
THE LEADER IS ON HIS WAY
Alex Smalley tees off for the final round... but he's got four other golfers now just one stroke behind him as Justin Thomas and Ludvig Aberg join Jon Rahm and Aaron Rai at five-under.
All eyes on Alex Smalley. The leader is underway in the Final Round at Aronimink.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/GiAxEl2G9cMay 17, 2026
RAHM IS ON FIRE
After two birdies from two holes, Jon Rahm is now tied for the lead at Aronimink. He looks like a man on a mission today.
NO GRAND SLAM FOR SPIETH
It just wasn't to be for Jordan Spieth this week, and the dream of the career Grand Slam will be on hold for another year.
Still, at least he finished in style on 18 today:
What a finish from Jordan Spieth. 😮💨He pours in a 40-footer at the 18th to close with a final-round 68.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/FH3tefVA9LMay 17, 2026
RAHM IS THE ONE TO BEAT?
It really feels like Jon Rahm is gunning for the win today. When he's in this form, can anyone match him?
A dream start for Jon Rahm. 🔥Back-to-back birdies at the 1st and 2nd move him to 6-under and into a share of the lead.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/HFuLOBEpOgMay 17, 2026
CLUBHOUSE LEAD FOR THOMAS
Justin Thomas is done for the day and he takes a clubhouse lead of five-under with him. Will he be called upon later today for some playoff action?
Justin Thomas holds his nerve to save par at the 18th and post 5-under for the Championship, taking the clubhouse lead. Enjoy your lunch JT!#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/HkN2WqqV9rMay 17, 2026
HARRINGTON WITH THE EAGLE
Away from the chaos at the top of the leaderboard, Padraig Harrington just made eagle with a deft chip out of the bunker.
He's still way back at even-par, but that is a delightful shot:
Chip-in eagle from the bunker for Pádraig Harrington at the 16th! 👏🦅#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Yh17pnSlWSMay 17, 2026
BIG PUTT FROM SMALLEY
Tournament leader Alex Smalley maintains his one stroke advantage thanks to this glorious 26ft putt at the 3rd:
Pressure? What pressure. 😅Leader Alex Smalley drains a 26-footer to save par at the 3rd.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Ig6cQNIlFeMay 17, 2026
NICK TAYLOR JOINS THE PARTY
The Canadian nearly bagged an ace on hole 5. He has to settle for a birdie and a tie for second.
Oh. So. Close. 🎯Nick Taylor nearly aced No. 5 and moves within a shot of the lead with a birdie. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/gqzRWVvicBMay 17, 2026
SCHMID BIRDIES AGAIN
Matti Schmid didn't want to be left out of that chasing pack on five-under. He's made another birdie at the 4th and is now one of six golfers just a stroke behind Alex Smalley.
Seven-way playoff, anyone?
Matti Schmid birdies the 4th to move into the chasing pack at 5-under, one shot off the lead. 👀#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/2KR1dr3WCaMay 17, 2026
SMALLEY KEEPS HIS COOL
Five holes down and Alex Smalley is looking calm and composed, with par across the board. That huge chasing pack are waiting for him to slip up but he's not giving them anything.
SCHMID GOES SOLO
The leaderboard has changed again. Matti Schmid makes birdie at the 6th in style, while Alex Smalley collapses and double bogeys.
Schmid now leads the field by one.
A major shake-up at the top. Matti Schmid birdies the 6th as Alex Smalley doubles, sending Schmid into the solo-lead at Aronimink.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/19kSJbsEBsMay 17, 2026
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN FOR SCOTTIE
Scottie Scheffler finishes the week with 125 putts, 2 shy of his most ever in a major championship.May 17, 2026
PAR FOR SCHMID
It's a safe par for the German at the sixth, who remains one clear of Justin Thomas, Cam Smith and Nick Taylor.
BIG MISTAKE FOR RORY
He pounds his tee shot nearly 380 yards at the par 5 ninth but, with just 195 yards left in, McIlroy can only make a par.
That's really sloppy from The Masters winner, who should be making birdie there. He remains four-under heading into the back nine.
EXCELLENT FROM JT
Justin Thomas ties his best score in 40 career rounds in the PGA Championship with a 5-under 65.It marks his fourth round of 65 or better in his 42nd career major start:63 - 2017 U.S. Open/R365 - 2018 PGA Championship/R265 - 2020 U.S. Open/R165 - 2026 PGA Championship/R4 https://t.co/11pvbaM2TnMay 17, 2026
XANDER BIRDIES THE NINTH
McIlroy makes par, while Schauffele makes birdie at the ninth. He moves to four-under, just two back of leader Schmidt.
NEAR MISS FROM SMITH
That was to share the lead, but Smith's putt just misses on the right-side at the par 3 14th. He remains five-under, one back of Schmidt.
ROSE HANGS TOUGH
An excellent par save at the 12th means Rose stays three-under. He's heading to the driveable 13th, with a strong finish needed for the Englishman.
RAI MAKES EAGLE
What an eagle for Rai!
Looking to become the second Englishman to win the PGA Championship, Rai eagles the par 5 ninth and goes from three-to-five-under.
He's in a great position to challenge going into the back nine...
HOW WILL JT PREPARE...?
The art of being clubhouse leader, per Justin Thomas: do NOT have 4-5 beers at lunch while your caddie is at a Subway an hour away. He's promising a different approach today at the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/oHxZl4yVrpMay 17, 2026
HARRINGTON ENJOYS A FINE WEEKEND
Padraig Harrington finishes his weekend (67-69) with a chip-in birdie on 18 at Aronimink 👏🇮🇪📺 CBS | via @PGAChampionshippic.twitter.com/eZqXXjX2EuMay 17, 2026
SO CLOSE FOR TAYLOR
That was to tie the lead, but Taylor's effort at the ninth finishes on the lip and he stays five-under.
RAHM WITHIN ONE
Rahm finds the green in two at the par 5 ninth, with a solid two putt meaning he's now five-under and one back of the lead.
Smith, meanwhile, makes a classy up-and-down at the par 4 15th. He is five-under and, with the par 5 15th coming up, he has a great chance to set a clubhouse target.
HUGE SAVE FOR RAI
What an up-and-down for Rai at the 10th!
He misses on the short side and, following an average chip, it seems the Englishman will make bogey. Rai, though, rolls in a 10-footer for par and remains five-under.
Excellent work.
ABERG DROPS ANOTHER SHOT
Bogeying the seventh and eighth, Aberg birdies the ninth but bogeys the 10th via a missed short putt.
He drops to three-under and will need to make a charge over the remaining holes on the back nine to contend for the win.
BIG SAVE FOR RORY
It only just finds the right-side of the hole, but it's a par for McIlroy at the par 4 11th. He remains two back of Schmidt, who pars the par 5 ninth.
SUPERB FROM RAI
His wedges have been world class this week and, at the 11th, Rai produces another superb shot.
He will have five-foot for birdie to join Schmidt at the top of the leaderboard!
RAI JOINS THE LEAD
Excellent from Rai, who birdies the 11th and joins Schmidt at six-under.
Speaking of Schmidt, he is in trouble at the 10th, and will need to get up-and-down to remain tied.
SCHMID DROPS A SHOT
It was a scrappy third from the German and, from 10-foot, Schmid misses on the left-side at the 10th to fall back to five-under.
Rai leads the PGA Championship.
PAR FOR RAI
It's another excellent up-and-down for Rai, who manages to par the 12th and remains one clear of a bunched chasing pack.
POOR FROM RORY
He was two back of the lead but, with a bogey at the 13th, McIlroy drops to three-under and three back of Rai.
It was a poor showing from the six-time Major winner, who had to hole a six-footer to save a bogey.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING?
Should Aaron Rai lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, it will end a very long drought...
Some very fine English players have competed in the PGA Championship over the years, but no Englishman has won this tournament since Jim Barnes took the first two titles in 1916 and 1919.
If Rai wins, he'll become the second Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy.
CAM SMITH FINISHES UP
Smith joins Justin Thomas in the clubhouse, but at four under, the Australian's chance of winning is gone. Thomas still has a chance at five under. Smith carded a one-under 69 on Sunday.
SO GOOD FROM RAI
That's unreal from Rai, who birdies the par 4 13th to lead by two strokes!
Impressive stuff from the Englishman, who is looking very composed as he enters the final stages of the back nine.
Rory McIlroy just birdied the 14th, while Aberg birdied the 13th. They are both two back of Rai, though, who is seven-under.
TAYLOR IN TROUBLE
Nick Taylor gets in some trouble off the tee at 13, and his chip towards the green doesn't really help matters as it drops into the rough surrounding it.
The Canadian is four under, three behind leader Aaron Rai, but this looks like a crucial moment....
He's not happy with his third either, and that leaves a longer par putt than he'd have wanted.
In the end, he makes a bogey...
SO CLOSE, RORY!
McIlroy makes par at the 15th, but it was so, so close to a brilliant birdie. From some distance, his putt tracks the entire way, before stopping inches short to leave a tap-in. He remains on four under, three back of Rai.
NOT QUITE FOR RAHM
Can Jon Rahm force the issue at 13? It's a sizeable birdie putt, but if he holes it he goes to six under. It doesn't break, though, and he remains two back of the lead in pursuit of his maiden PGA Championship title.
STILL UP FOR GRABS
What a remarkable tournament this has been. Yes, Aaron Rai currently has clear daylight between him and the chasing pack, but as we approach the last hour of regulation, it's still too close to call, particularly with Jon Rahm right behind him.
On the par-4 15th, Rai finds the green with his second.
WELL DONE, JUSTIN!
Another excellent Major for Justin Rose, who makes par at the 18th to finish on three under.
BIRDIE FOR SCHMID
Matti Schmid reduces Rai's lead to one with a birdie at the 13th, but at 16, McIlroy finds a bunker with his third. He digs it out well though and that should give him another par. Not ideal, but not a disaster. But at four under he needs to push this in the remaining two holes.
Matti Schmid moves back within one shot of the lead with a birdie at the 13th. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/NzkKj7N8vEMay 17, 2026
AARON STAYING FOCUSED
While players are jostling for position further back, Aaron Ria is still holding his nerve well. He pars the 15th and now there are just three more to go as he leads by one.
CLOSE FROM SCHMID
Matti Schmid eyes a chance for the co-lead at 14. It's a long birdie putt, and it's excellent - except for coming up just short. Still, if he stays in touch, he'll have a chance as he'll finish after Rai. so would know what he'd need to do.
BRILLIANT FROM AARON RAI!
Aaron Rai with an incredible shot at 16 to get within 15 feet or so. That leaves an eagle chance, and it could make the difference!
Soon after, another birdie chance goes begging for McIlroy at 17. It doesn't look like he's quite going to get there this year.
Just look at this approach into the 16th from Aaron Rai.A birdie moved him to 8-under with a two-shot lead and two holes to play.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/WuYyqBGUM5May 17, 2026
RAI INCREASES LEAD
Aaron Rai lines up his eagle putt at 16. This would give him a lead of three...
It doesn't make it, but it's a birdie to go to eight under.
OH MY WORD!
From 69 feet, Rai holes a monster birdie putt to move to nine under - three clear of Schmid!
That's the second-longest putt made by anyone all week, and what a time to do it!
UNBELIEVABLE FROM AARON RAI. 🤯He drains a 70-footer at the 17th to move to 9-under and open up a three-shot lead with one hole to play.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/9CLcqoVXJ7May 17, 2026
MCILROY FINISHES WITH PAR
Amid the pandemonium of Rai's amazing moment at 17, Rory McIlroy finishes with par for a one under 69. That leaves him stranded on four under and officially out of the running.
RAI ON THE WAY
It's almost job done for Rai. He has 166 yards to the hole with his second at 18. One more good swing should see him home, a miracle further back notwithstanding.
That'll do! He finds the green comfortably and could even wrap things up with another birdie.
AARON RAI COMPLETES ROUND OF 65
Rai's playing partner Ludvig Aberg finishes with a birdie. That leaves him on five under.
Rai's birdie chance doesn't quite make it but he taps in for par for the clubhouse lead at nine under, three clear of Jon Rahm, who is on the 17th.
ALL SMILES FROM AARON RAI
Aaron Rai is all smiles as he strides away from the 18th hand in hand with his wife, and you can't blame him.
After so long with nothing between so many players, he leads by three knowing only something sensational from those still out on the course will deny him his maiden Major title.
ALL BUT OVER FOR CHASERS
We're basically going through the formalities now, with Jon Rahm, three back on the 18th, Alex Smalley level with the Spaniard on the 17th and Matt Schmid on the same hole and four back.
RAHM HOME IN SECOND
Jon Rahm finishes with a 68 to stand in solo second.
AARON RAI WINS PGA CHAMPIONSHIP!
Matti Schmid and Alex Smalley are finishing on the 18th, but they can't catch Aaron Rai. The Englishman is the new PGA Champion!
