All weekend, we waited for someone to separate from the pack.

And at the start of play on Sunday, there were 11 major winners within 6 shots of the lead. Surely, one of them would step up, post a low score, and bring this thing home.

Well, none of the major winners in the field stepped up, but Aaron Rai, wearing two gloves, rocking iron covers, and using giant tees that he bought off an infomercial, certainly did.

And what’s truly incredible about his victory, is that in a world of ball rollback debates, set-up arguments, and distance, distance, distance – Aaron Rai just won a major as the 160th ranked driver on TOUR.

Aronimink was set up to reward driving accuracy over distance, and great putting.

Aaron Rai did both better than anyone in the field, and it allowed him the separate.

By the way, he was a 150-1 longshot.

What about everybody else?

 

Alex Smalley, who went into Sunday as the clubhouse leader, shot even par, and finished T2.

Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Cam Smith, and Ludvig Aberg all tried to make a push, but no one could gain ground on Rai’s back nine performance.

However, this week, I think we need to focus on what “everybody else” had to say about Aaron Rai. As it turns out, Rai has earned a ton of respect among his peers.

Massive congrats to Aaron Rai. Such a nice guy and hard worker. Makes me want to work harder, and makes me believe that I can win majors as well. – Michael Kim

You won’t find one person on property who’s not happy for him. – Rory McIlroy.

What’s Next?

 

Scottie Scheffler headlines the field at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.

Odds For TPC Craig Ranch

  • Scottie Scheffler: +150

  • Si Woo Kim: +1250

  • Jordan Spieth: +2000

  • Brooks Koepka: +2700

  • Keith Mitchell: +3300

  • Pierceson Coody: +4000

  • Michael Thorbjornsen: +4100

  • Aaron Rai: +4200

  • Wyndham Clark: +4700