{"id":57231,"date":"2026-08-27T20:08:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/57231\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T20:08:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:08:39","slug":"he-could-be-huge-for-europe-ryder-cup-star-backs-aaron-rai-after-pga-championship-glory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/57231\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHe Could Be Huge for Europe,\u201d Ryder Cup Star Backs Aaron Rai After PGA Championship Glory"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen Gallacher believes Aaron Rai is a perfect Ryder Cup fit. The Englishman’s win at Aronimink has sparked global praise and comparisons to legendary European captains.<\/p>\n

Featuring at the ISPS Handa Senior Open being held at Gleneagles, Gallacher firmly believed that the Wanamaker Trophy holder would be a great addition to the European Ryder Cup team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you not want to play with someone of his temperament? You know he’s such a nice guy and you’d want to play with a major winner as your partner, wouldn’t you? You know he’s got the minerals down the stretch and he’s very methodical, like JD, we’ve both played with him quite a bit,\u201d said Gallacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s got his own way, he’s set in his own ways, he’s methodical and he does stuff a bit uniquely,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Gallacher was also fond of Rai\u2019s personality. He noted Rai’s ability to stay balanced both on and off the course.<\/p>\n

Rai shot a brilliant final-round 5-under 65 at the PGA Championship to secure a three-stroke win over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, becoming the first Englishman to win the major in the stroke-play era since Jim Barnes.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I think Luke Donald, he’s similar to Luke, to be honest. He’s kind of like what Luke is like. Very unassuming, very humble. He’s just a straightforward guy and a h*** of a player. We’ve all known he’s a good player, but when you win tournaments like that, that takes you up another level,\u201d said Gallacher.<\/p>\n

Gallacher was impressed with Rai\u2019s handling of his emotions at the 17th hole of the final round. It was one of the highlights of the tournament as Rai nailed a 68-foot putt.<\/p>\n

Rai birdied the 17th hole, and the putt became the second-longest made during the championship weekend. Gallacher labeled Rai as \u201clevel-headed,\u201d just like the top players in the game.<\/p>\n

Not only Gallacher, but also the 1988 PGA Championship winner praised Rai\u2019s demeanor at Aronimink.<\/p>\n

Former PGA Championship Winner Praised Aaron Rai<\/p>\n

American veteran golfer Jeff Sluman\u2019s first PGA Tour title was the Wanamaker Trophy back in 1988. He shot 12-under par and registered a three-stroke victory over compatriot Paul Azinger.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just had total control. He understood the golf course better than anybody that day, what to do. And, you know, sometimes there is that intuitive feel for a certain day that you have, and he showed me exactly what he’s made of, and, you know, let’s stand up and be counted at this point. And he was counted, that’s for sure,\u201d said Sluman in an interview on May 20.<\/p>\n

Sluman further said that he saw himself in Aaron Rai and particularly liked his steadiness and shot selection.<\/p>\n

Both Sluman and Rai won the Wanamaker Trophy at around the same age and displayed immense character to secure their first major.<\/p>\n

Read more at Club Golf<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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