Aaron Rai responds to Xander Schauffele’s comments about him after PGA Championship victory

Aaron Rai was an unlikely winner of the PGA Championship, but an immensely popular one.

He became the first Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes in 1919, fending off the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy to claim his first major championship win.

Rai is a well-liked figure on the tour and one who has the respect of all his competitors. Xander Schauffele dubbed him the hardest-working player on the PGA Tour after his final round at Aronimink.

After winning the tournament, Rai took the time to respond to those comments in typically classy fashion.

Aaron Rai responds to Xander Schauffele’s claim that no one works harder than him

For those who didn’t know Rai before, he’s won over the golfing world. He was incredibly gracious and grateful to win the Wannamaker Trophy, and that emanated through the screen when he was thrust under the spotlight.

Rai’s class was on full display when he responded to Schauffele’s comments. Speaking in his winner’s press conference after the PGA Championship, the Englishman said what it means to hear the two-time major winner say that about him.

He said, “Extremely affirming, and that’s very kind of Xander to say. There are a lot of guys who work extremely hard. The level on the PGA Tour is so strong, let alone in a major championship. So I think that’s a prerequisite of what is just required to try and compete out here.

“But yeah, it’s very reaffirming to know the things that we’re doing are working and leading to continued development within the game. So, yeah, hopefully I can just continue to move along a pretty similar path moving forward.”

One of the good guys won at Aronimink, and it seems that everyone is happy to see Rai’s hard work be rewarded with a major win.

Rory McIlroy says how golfers reacted to Aaron Rai’s PGA Championship win

McIlroy was disappointed not to win the PGA Championship after starting Sunday in contention.

He didn’t have it on the day and didn’t threaten the lead, but despite rueing his mistakes during his final round, he said that he, and everyone else, would be happy to see Rai win.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI, McIlroy said, “It’ll be great to see him win, there won’t be a more popular winner this year, I would say.”

Rai might not have been the winner everyone expected, but judging by the post-championship reaction, he’s the winner everyone would have chosen on Sunday.