Like many golf pros, newly minted PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai grew up a fan of Tiger Woods. It started by watching him play on old VHS video tapes. Growing up in Wolverhampton, England and taking up golf at the age of four, Rai spent countless hours watching video of Woods victories with his father, Amrik.Oh, mate, we watched videos of Tigers wins at the U.S. Amateur [in 1993, 94 and 95] and his major championship wins, probably every three or four days. I loved watching those major wins around that 2000 period, Rai said at the 2023 Genesis Invitational, where met Woods face-to-face for the first time. He's been my idol since a very young age. Hes probably the biggest reason I play golf and I'm sure that's the case for a lot of a lot of guys of my generation.Once Rai won the first of his three DP World Tour titles, he got to compete in the same event as Woods at the World Golf Championships event in Mexico in 2019, but it wasn't until the 2023 Genesis that the 27-year-old finally got to meet Woods, albeit in unusual circumstances. Rai didnt have a spot in the pro-am, so he decided to brave the morning chill and watch Tiger make his return to Riviera, eventually getting the courage to say hello to him on the par-5 11th.When I saw that it was really windy, and I knew I was limited what I could do in practice, I decided to [try and meet Woods] and then do a little more practice myself in the afternoon, Rai said when spotted outside the gallery ropes.Brisk, windy conditions greeted Tiger Woods during Wednesday's Pro-Am at the Genesis Invitational.Cliff HawkinsIt's not often a PGA Tour player watches a colleague in a pro-am, but for his childhood hero, Rai was willing to make an exception. After Woods ripped a low fade through the wind with a driver down the middle of the fairway on No.11, Rai approached Rob McNamara, Woods close friend and VP of Woods TGR foundation, and introduced himself. McNamara then introduced Rai to Woods and the pair shot spoke while Woods amateur partners teed off on the forward tees.It was very conversational, Rai said. He asked me what time I'm playing tomorrow. We spoke about Rory [McIlroy] and JT [Justin Thomas] and how they play a little bit together back home [in Jupiter, Fla.]. He told me a little bit about himself and his garden at home with his short game area. Then he wished me all the best for the rest of the week. He made me feel very welcome.Buzzing at the interaction, Rai decided to walk with Woods for the entire back nine.Rai first got to see Woods in person at 2013 Open at Muirfield. My dad and I drove up in the early hours and got there at half 6 to watch a practice round. There was no one there, but by his final few holes there was a massive gallery.Rai was too nervous to approach Woods when they both played the 2019 WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City, just two months before Woods fifth Masters victory at Augusta National. With the Wanamaker now in his trophy cabinet, however, he won't hesitate to say hello the next time he bumps into the Big Cat. More From Golf Digest Tiger Watch Tiger Woods brings big expecations to Riviera, but big (injury) questions, too Betting Advice Genesis Invitational picks: Why our experts trust Justin Thomas Tiger Watch Tiger Woods talks about why he's making a ball switch for the Genesis Invitational Tiger Woods plays his shot from the first tee during the pro-am prior to the Genesis Invitational.Cliff HawkinsFans following Tiger Woods on Wednesday included PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.Cliff Hawkins

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Aaron Rai has secured his maiden major title at the 2026 PGA Championship, etching his name into golfing history as the first Englishman to claim the prestigious trophy in over a century.The victory marks a remarkable achievement for the 31-year-old, who follows in the footsteps of Jim Barnes, the last English champion at this event back in 1919.Rai's triumph also brings to a close ten years of American supremacy at the PGA Championship.It represents a proud moment for English golf, with Rai delivering a performance that will resonate for generations to come.Rai completed his week at Aronimink with rounds of 70, 69, 67 and a superb closing 65, finishing nine under par for the championship.The Englishman held off Spain's Jon Rahm by three strokes, with the former world number one unable to mount a serious challenge on the final day.Rai's back nine proved particularly impressive, as he navigated the more demanding stretch of the Pennsylvania course with five birdies.His breakthrough on the PGA Tour came at the 2024 Wyndham Championship, and this major triumph confirms his status among the game's elite performers.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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Leader Aaron Rai drains a monster putt on the 17th hole in the PGA Championship final round.