‘The turning point’ – Aaron Rai’s caddie Jason Timmis pinpoints vital moment as Englishman wins US PGA Championship

Aaron Rai realised a career dream by becoming a Major champion on Sunday with victory at the US PGA Championship.

While his near 70-foot birdie putt on the 71st and penultimate hole at Aronimink may have been decisive, Rai’s caddie Jason Timmis believes his “turning point” was an eagle at the par-five ninth.

After back-to-back bogeys at the seventh and eighth, Englishman Rai’s title challenge was in danger of fading away as a posse of people sought to win the Wanamaker Trophy.

But the eagle - his first of the week - provided a timely injection of momentum, which he sustained on his way to a faultless back nine of 31 that saw the 31-year-old finish at nine under and claim a three-stroke victory in Pennsylvania.

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Speaking to the DP World Tour in the immediate aftermath, a delighted Timmis, who has worked with Rai for the last eight years, said: “The turning point was nine, making eagle. That putt shifted the momentum.

"We were one over through eight, a little out of the tournament, and it shifted it nicely. His putting was probably his strength today, which I don’t think I have ever said.

"He just played some really good golf coming in. Some of the shots into 16 were the two of the best shots I have ever seen him hit. Driver and then a big high five iron fade to 20 feet and then making that putt on 17 from 75 feet, maybe, was the best golf I have ever seen."

With his victory, Rai has climbed to a career-high 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking and it is the latest, and most significant chapter in a career only heading in one direction.

Now a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, he claimed his second Rolex Series victory in Abu Dhabi last year after sealing his first PGA TOUR title at the Wyndham Championship in 2024.

With the U.S. Open fast on the horizon next month, Rai may have been an unexpected Major winner at Aronimink but there is no doubting he will be the focus of far greater attention - something Timmis believes he will take in his stride.

"We’ve just been talking about how Aaron’s career every year has been getting a little better," he said.

"He won out here [in America on the PGA TOUR] and then won in Abu Dhabi last year.

"It just seems like he gets a little better, more comfortable in these environments and he’s probably achieved his life goals today."