Ryder Cup: Aaron Rai will ‘catch up’ with European captain Luke Donald in the ‘coming days’ following PGA Championship win | Golf News

Aaron Rai says he is due to “catch up” with Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald in the coming days, as talk continues to mount around his possible inclusion in the European Team ahead of next year’s tournament at Adare Manor.

The 31-year-old became the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship in 107 years on Sunday, surging through a packed field of players to claim victory by three shots.

While the 2027 Ryder Cup may still be 16 months away, Rai’s sensational performance has boosted his chances of securing a spot to play at the biennial tournament in Ireland.

On Thursday, the Englishman revealed that he hadn’t spoken to Luke Donald after winning his first major title, but added: “I will catch up with him in the coming days.”

Rai, who chose to withdraw from this week’s PGA Tour event, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, explained he wasn’t getting carried away with talk of playing at the 2027 Ryder Cup in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s win.

The Wolverhampton-born golfer was in contention to secure a place in the European Team to play at Bethpage Black in 2025, but missed out on a spot in the squad. He revealed on Thursday that this experience of being considered for selection will stand him in good stead when he vies for a place again next year.

“I think it’s such a long way away,” Rai said. “Ryder Cup qualification hasn’t even started yet, so I’m well aware of just how much good golf you have to play to even be in that framework come next year, so it’s not something that I’ve really thought too much about.

“I’ve really enjoyed over the previous few years getting around it and experiencing kind of the lead up to it and what it’s like.

“Hopefully I can learn a few things from those experiences moving into next year, but there’s a lot of golf to be played and a lot of great performances that you have to have in order to be even considered for that team.”

The Englishman deployed a similar approach during his final round on Sunday, explaining he was taking one step at a time and trying not to look at the leaderboard as he fended off the advances of Jon Rahm, Alex Smalley and Justin Thomas.

“I think over those last few holes, I definitely felt that, providing I can keep doing what I’m doing, we stand a very good chance,” he explained. “But I also tried not to let myself get too far ahead and think that there’s a chance, because I knew how hard those last few holes are, and how well you had to play them in order to keep the round flowing.

“So, I didn’t take it for granted. I knew there was an opportunity to maybe be in that position, but I tried not to let myself really get too far ahead beyond those last few holes.”

Rai’s wife’s ‘powerful’ message

Ahead of last Sunday’s final round, Rai revealed his wife, Gaurika, an accomplished golfer, who played on the Ladies European Tour, gave him several words of reassurance to help him envision claiming victory at Aronimink.

“She’s extremely honest with me,” Rai said. “Through the positives that she sees, but sometimes through the areas in which maybe I’m lacking.

“So, I think probably the deeper consistent message is just honesty through the good and through the not so good.

“One particular piece of advice she was really reassuring on Saturday night and even on Sunday morning to me by saying: ‘You’re ready’. That felt really powerful when she said it, because she said it on Saturday night and she said it before starting on Sunday as well.”

Rai won’t treat himself after banking $3.69m cheque

Rai has also been open about the sacrifices his parents made to help him reach the top level.

Having picked up $3.69m (£2.75m) on Sunday, the ever-humble Rai explained he had no plans to treat himself, but would be buying something nice for his family members.

“I have a really nice house in Jacksonville that I’ve been in for three years now, which I absolutely love,” Rai said.

“I imported my car from the UK three years ago, which I absolutely love, and I wouldn’t change that for anything. So, nothing really comes to my mind for myself.

“I think I would like to get a couple of my family members something, but I wanted to also be thoughtful, rather than just something that is worth X amount.”

Rai was lauded by Xander Schauffele on Sunday for his relentless work ethic. The Englishman explained that his commitment to working hard was a lesson that his parents instilled in him from a young age. But for Rai, the hard work won’t stop after winning his first major.

“There’s always evolving, and there’s always growth to be had in the game,” Rai said. “The ways you go about it are part of what defines whether that growth takes you forward. There are probably a number of small things in a lot of different areas of the game that could still be improved upon.

“But I also think last week, and generally the last two years there’s been so many positive signs within my game, and my game across a lot of different places in the world and across a lot of different styles of golf, which show that it’s in a really, a really good place.”

Watch the The CJ Cup Byron Nelson live until Sunday on Sky Sports Golf, where Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

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