Aaron Rai leans on humble roots and hard work to become a major champion

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rai stood straight with his arms behind his back, perfect posture, as he waited to be introduced as the latest — and among the most remarkable — winner of the PGA Championship.

Next to him on a small table was the Wanamaker Trophy, big and silver and shiny.

Rai couldn't resist a quick glance at the 27-pound trophy and all those names.

Jim Barnes won the first two PGA Championships in 1916 and 1919, and there had never been another winner from England until Rai won at Aronimink on Sunday. And there was Tiger Woods, once a mythical figure on VHS tapes to a young boy growing up in Wolverhampton.

“We used to watch them a hell of a lot, probably two, three times a week, if not more,” Rai said of the tapes of Woods winning U.S. Amateurs and his early feats as a pro. "I just remember being in awe just watching all of the things that he could do.

“So, yeah, to have my name even with him on this trophy is incredible, really.”

Practically everything about Rai's victory Sunday was incredible.

He was among 22 players separated by four shots going into the final round, a logjam the likes of which the PGA Championship had never seen. He was just another name on the leaderboard midway through the final round, three shots behind and coming off two bogeys in three holes.

What followed was the stuff of major champions — seven consecutive one-putt greens, including a 40-foot eagle on the par-5 ninth that turned his fortunes. He was 6 under over the last 10 holes. The last time anyone did better to win a major was Jack Nicklaus in the 1986 Masters.

Rai's first love as a boy was Formula 1 and he dreamed of being a driver. He certainly drove like one on the back nine, zooming into the lead, leaving behind the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Smith, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas.

Now he takes his place in golf history as a major champion, his fifth career win worldwide that moves him to a career-best No. 15 in the world.

“Everyone playing in the field this week has a great journey to be able to share,” Rai said. “And I'm no exception to that.”

His stands out.

He wears two gloves because that's what he did as a kid to fight off the cold English winter. Rai has a work ethic that rivals anyone, regardless of the temperature.

How many major champions — or any elite player — has plastic iron covers? For Rai, it's a reminder of his roots. He once said his father sacrificed to buy the nicest golf clubs and then would clean the grooves with baby oil after his son was done playing. Rai has left the iron covers on since then “to remember where I came from and to respect what I have.”

He never got teased because he didn't spend much time around other junior golfers. Rai said only when he was about 12 did he graduate to starting the hole on the forward tee box instead of the fairway. That was the idea of his father to get him in a place where making par didn’t feel so impossible.

“I didn’t really mix with a lot of other junior golfers, which didn’t give me a perspective of what was normal,” he said. "So I think he kind of sheltered me to be able to develop in a way that made sense for me, in a way that I guess was a little bit unique with two gloves, with iron covers.

“By the time he probably allowed me to play more club golf ... I felt like I was strong enough in why I did certain things to be able to continue to move that forward. I knew the reasons why I do them. I believe in the reasons why I do them.”

It's all about respect, and the greatest respect he showed was to Aronimink.

Rai figured there were too many players — too many stars — on the leaderboard for him to worry about. And Aronimink, with its wildly contoured greens and tough pins, required so much focus that he didn't have energy for anything but the next shot.

The performance was worthy of a major champion.

Rahm couldn't make enough putts for birdie. McIlroy couldn't handle the par 5s (he played them even for the week). Alex Smalley and Matti Schmid couldn't avoid the key mistakes. That left Rai to finish strong for a 65 to win by three over Rahm and Smalley.

There was a lot of disappointment to go around, but also joy for the winner. Rai is enormously popular with his peers, and it was evident.

“You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him,” McIlroy said.

Schauffele referred to him as an “all-world gentleman.”

But this isn't just about being a nice guy. Golf is loaded with those. Schauffele still remembers a late summer night in Scotland when he and his caddie went out for a putting contest. There was Rai at 9 p.m., and when he finished the Englishman was off to the gym.

“Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you,” Schauffele said. “That’s what it’s about to be a major champion. You put the work in when nobody’s looking. Super pumped for him.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Aaron Rai, of England, and wife Gaurika Bishnoi hold the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Jon Rahm, of Spain, reacts to missing a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Aaron Rai, of England, celebrates after his shot on the 17th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Aaron Rai, of England, celebrates after his shot on the 17th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Aaron Rai, of England, holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

CHICAGO (AP) — Munetaka Murakami has a fun handshake with fellow infielder Miguel Vargas. He playfully agreed that a magic wand routine with teammate Mike Vasil helped him slam another homer. His No. 5 jersey dots the stands at Rate Field.

The Japanese slugger wasn't supposed to end up with the Chicago White Sox. But it's working out quite well.

Murakami looks right at home with a promising group of young position players in Chicago, and they have been mashing the ball so far this season. Murakami has an AL-leading 17 homers and a team-high 32 RBIs through Sunday's action, and the surprising White Sox are tied for second in the majors with 66 homers overall.

“It’s the full lineup, one through nine. Feeding off each other,” Murakami said through his interpreter, Kenzo Yagi. “It’s a great confidence builder, seeing other players get good results. I just want to be that contributor and contribute to the lineup and contribute to the team’s wins.”

Murakami’s 17 homers are tied for third-most by a player in major league history in his first 45 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He went deep in a record eight consecutive series openers from April 14 to May 8.

When Murakami strides to the plate, one of baseball's three true outcomes is the likely result. He also ranks among the major league leaders with 36 walks and 66 strikeouts.

“He’s a superstar. There’s no other way to do it,” White Sox pitcher Davis Martin said. “You play against guys like (Mike) Trout, you play against guys like (Aaron) Judge and Yordan Alvarez and he’s doing the same things that they are. It’s an incredible thing to watch.”

Murakami is the fourth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox, joining Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07) and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Takatsu managed Murakami in Japan.

“He’s had to make a ton of adjustments to get comfortable," White Sox manager Will Venable said. "And I know that probably is not easy for him. So yeah, he’s just a guy who has that flexibility to come into different environments and then get comfortable and I think this speaks a lot to his character and who he is.”

The 26-year-old Murakami was Central League MVP in 2021 and ’22. He was limited to 56 games last season because of an oblique injury, but he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs.

He entered MLB's posting system in November. When the market was lighter than expected — there was some exaggerated concern about his ability to handle velocity — the White Sox signed the slugger to a $34 million, two-year contract in December.

During Murakami's fast start this season, White Sox general manager Chris Getz has fielded some laudatory calls from other GMs.

“One GM said ‘Congratulations, you beat the industry on this one,’” Getz said, “so that was nice to hear, and it’s worked out and you know we feel really excited about having him in a White Sox uniform and he’s helping us win baseball games.”

Murakami was a late arrival for his first spring training game after he got caught in some traffic. But it has been smooth sailing most of the time.

He hit a solo homer in his first three regular-season games. He crushed a 431-foot grand slam in a 9-2 victory at the Athletics on April 17, beginning a five-game homer streak. He connected for a three-run shot in an 8-7 victory over the Angels last month.

He isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore.

“He’s a dangerous hitter and a guy you definitely have to be careful with,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said.

Murakami wants to get better, too. He said his biggest challenge has been adjusting to new pitchers every day, and he is growing more comfortable at first base.

Asked about his biggest challenge in moving to the majors, he paused and smiled.

“Compared to Japan, here, the environment's totally different,” he said. “The space, the fields and everything is really nice. That’s the ... biggest surprise.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami celebrates with teammate Sam Antonacci (17) at home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami watches his solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, right, celebrates with closing pitcher Trevor Richards (43) after defeating the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game in Chicago, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami watches his two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates with manager Will Venable (1) at the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, May 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)