Aaron Rai’s fifth-place end eventually month’s Myrtle Seashore Traditional could appear to be a disappointment contemplating he led going into the weekend, however he stated the end result was “massively” essential to his ensuing PGA Championship win.
The setback additionally supplied classes he’ll carry into this week’s Memorial Event at Muirfield Village Golf Membership.
“That have at Myrtle Seashore was completely invaluable for the PGA, and I am unsure I’d have dealt with the scenario in addition to I did on the PGA if I hadn’t skilled it the week earlier than at Myrtle Seashore,” Rai stated at a press convention Tuesday forward of the event in Dublin, Ohio.
The 31-year-old Englishman stated getting used to the sensation of being within the final group at Myrtle Seashore, one thing he hadn’t been part of for no less than 5 months prior, was “large.”
He additionally stated some “small issues” that occurred throughout his ultimate spherical helped set him up effectively for his first main win on the PGA Championship.
“Bits from the gang, bits from a few errors that I made within the midsection of the spherical. I believe I made 4 bogeys in a row across the flip. I believe simply form of the place my thoughts went, sure issues that I may have handled higher, I used to be very conscious of even on the Saturday of the PGA,” Rai stated.
“I believe while you’ve had that have so lately earlier than, it is quite a bit brisker within the thoughts and it is quite a bit simpler to make these changes. So, yeah, that was essential, actually.”
Rai expressed an eagerness to play at Muirfield, which he known as “an incredible golf course” and one among his favorites on the PGA Tour.
“It is a fully unbelievable occasion, a course that I completely love,” he stated. “Very demanding. I believe it requires a whole sport it doesn’t matter what your talent set is, whether or not you are slightly shorter, whether or not you are slightly longer, whether or not you are straight, whether or not the brief sport is nice. It requires all the pieces to achieve success round this occasion.”
This will probably be Rai’s fourth Tour begin at Muirfield. He completed T26 in 2022 however missed the minimize in his final two appearances in 2023 and 2025.
He stated these experiences on the course have proven that “it is actually laborious,” however he plans to take what he is discovered from earlier years and apply it this weekend.
“Actually after enjoying it slightly bit extra, it undoubtedly requires slightly bit extra understanding, and I most likely have not accomplished pretty much as good of a job as I may by way of my preparation, particularly final yr,” Rai stated of his 9-over-par end when he posted rounds of 79 and 74 in lacking the minimize.
“I believe simply attempting to strategy it slightly bit higher. Received right here barely earlier this week as effectively so as to take action. And to simply be taught from a few the errors that I’ve made in earlier years.”
Rai should get previous two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who completed at 10-under final yr for a four-stroke victory over Ben Griffin.
–Area Stage Media
