By England’s Aaron Rai, fresh off his first PGA Tour win at the Wyndham Championship, is now focused on the FedExCup Playoffs, where he hopes to continue his strong form. Despite his recent success, Rai remains cautious about his chances of making his Ryder Cup debut for Team Europe next year at Bethpage Black, emphasizing that it’s still too early to consider.
Rai’s victory at the Wyndham Championship, secured after a grueling final day, propelled him into the top 25 of the FedExCup standings and up to 22nd in the world rankings. This marks a significant milestone for the 29-year-old, whose last global triumph came at the 2020 Scottish Open. His win at Wyndham also capped off an impressive summer on the PGA Tour, where he consistently placed in the top seven in three of his last four events, including a second-place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
As Rai enters the FedExCup Playoffs, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, he’s well-positioned to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship. His stellar performance this season has also sparked discussions about his potential inclusion in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team next September.
While acknowledging the allure of the Ryder Cup, Rai remains grounded, pointing out that the event is still over a year away. “The Ryder Cup would be amazing to be a part of, but it’s such a long way off. A lot depends on how well you’re playing in the lead-up to the Ryder Cup,” Rai explained ahead of the FedEx St Jude Championship. He also emphasized the importance of ongoing improvement and progression in his game, noting that consistent performance could open doors to future opportunities, whether that be the Ryder Cup or other achievements.
Reflecting on the support he’s received, particularly from Luke Donald, Rai expressed gratitude. “Luke sent me a message on Monday morning, which was very kind. He’s been very supportive over the last year, and I’ve had the chance to spend some time with him. He’s always been generous with his advice and very gracious to me,” Rai said.
Rai, who was ranked outside the top 100 just over a year ago, is now on the brink of breaking into the world’s top 20 and remains a contender for the FedExCup. Despite his rapid rise in the sport, Rai finds it challenging to fully reflect on his journey due to the demanding schedule. However, he admits to experiencing emotional moments, particularly after his recent win, when he thought of his parents and the significance of his achievements. Rai, who comes from humble beginnings in Wolverhampton, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level in golf.
This season, Rai follows in the footsteps of Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia as players of Indian heritage who have made a mark on the PGA Tour. Rai takes pride in representing British Asian heritage in a sport where it’s less common and hopes that he, along with Theegala and Bhatia, can inspire others. “It’s amazing to have Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia on the PGA Tour. Players of Indian heritage performing well and being relatively young is incredibly inspiring,” Rai remarked. He added that while their primary focus is on playing good golf and conducting themselves well, they hope their presence in the sport can have a positive influence.
