'Maybe the most hard-working guy on Tour': Players praise Aaron Rai after breakthrough US PGA Championship win

Ludvig Åberg, Xander Schauffele, Matti Schmid, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy were among those to praise Aaron Rai’s work ethic and character after the Englishman claimed his maiden Major title at the US PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.

Rai became the first Englishman to win the US PGA Championship since Jim Barnes won in 1916 and 1919, and while much commentary has surrounded his approach to the game, the reaction from his peers about his three-stroke victory was as much about him as a person as it was his Major-winning performance.

Ludvig Åberg had a front-row seat to Rai's victory as his playing partner in the final round, and was full of praise for the quality of the golf that carried him to the Wanamaker Trophy.

“He obviously drove it really well," said the Swede. "He hit his irons shots really well and putted nicely which is a good recipe to shoot a low score.

"The bunker shot on 13 stands out, flying it all the way. Where he already has a lead, it’s easy to leave that, 12-15 feet short. A couple of really good shots on 16, 17 too. Obviously the putt is crazy.”

"Aaron is a super, super nice guy and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

That sentiment was carried across the players in the field, as Marco Penge wrote that Rai was "one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet". "So happy for you and your family/team. Inspirational," he wrote in a post on social media.

Matti Schmid, who knows Rai well, echoed those sentiments.

“Aaron is a super hard-working guy,” Schmid said. “Maybe the most hard-working guy on tour. Yeah, he does everything so deliberate. Practices with so much intention. I think he does a lot of things the right way, and that's why he's the winner today.”

2024 US PGA champion Xander Schauffele was equally emphatic in his praise, describing Rai as one of the most diligent players he sees week in, week out.

“I'm assuming he's going to get it done,” Schauffele had said ahead of his victory being confirmed. “I'm super happy for him. He's such a good dude. Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you.

"I feel like I've played a pretty good amount of time, and Aaron is always there. He's always in the gym. He's always on the range.

"At the Scottish [Open], I'm staying right on site there. I thought it was fun for Austin (Kaiser, his caddie) and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9:00 p.m. and going to the gym at 9:45.

“This was three years ago. I think that's what it's about to be a major champion. You put the work in when nobody's looking. Super pumped for him and his team. He's such a nice guy. All world gentleman, no doubt.”

It seems even for those that don't know him well, he is both highly thought of and respected. Two time Major champion Jon Rahm, who finished in a tie for second, admitted he had not spent a huge amount of time with Rai, but was full of praise for the new Major champion.

"I have heard consistently there are very few people that are nicer and kinder human beings than Aaron Rai," said the Spaniard.

“Anybody that wears or uses head covers in his irons because he coveted his irons when he was a kid so much that he wanted to respect the equipment so much, and to still do it? Yeah, still doing it shows a lot about a person.”

“I have heard absolutely nothing but good or great things about Aaron Rai. He's been playing great golf. He's a fantastic golfer. He's been able to perform really well. What he did today is nothing short of special. Even more credit to Aaron. With three bogeys to shoot five-under today is quite remarkable.”

But it was Rory McIlroy’s verdict perhaps summed it up best as Rai moved clear late in the day. “Aaron is getting away from the field a little bit and looks like he's going to win, which is great,” he said. “You won't find one person on property who's not happy for him.”