Britain's Aaron Rai believes it is too early to consider Europe's first Ryder Cup appearance at Bethpage Black next year despite setting a career-high after his breakthrough victory on the PGA Tour.
Rai endured a marathon run on the final day of the Wyndham Championship earlier this month to claim a two-shot victory and his first PGA Tour title, moving him into the top 25 in the FedEx Cup standings and 22nd in the latest world rankings.
The 29-year-old’s win was his first world-class victory since the 2020 Scottish Open and continued his impressive summer on the PGA Tour, which saw him finish in three of the top seven in his previous four starts, including a tie for second at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Rai has played in at least the first two FedExCup playoffs and is expected to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship. Live streaming on Sky SportsAnd his best PGA Tour season yet increases the likelihood that he will join Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team next September.
“Playing in the Ryder Cup would be great, but it's still a long way off,” Rai told reporters ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship. “That tournament is still over a year away. A lot of it depends on how you perform leading up to the Ryder Cup.”
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“I think it’s very positive and satisfying to keep improving and see the progression in my game, and see it show in the form of results.
“If I keep doing that, then I'm giving myself the opportunity for other things to fall into place in the future. Obviously, it would be great to be a part of the future. Whether that's next year or beyond, but it's a long way off right now.”
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We head to the Audi Performance Zone to analyze the role of the pelvis in Aaron Rai's golf swing
Regarding the support Donald gave him, Rai added: “[Luke] He sent me a message Monday morning, and he's so sweet. He's been really nice to me over the past year, about 18 months, and I haven't been with him that long.
“He was always generous with his advice. He was very, very kind to me.”
Rai wasn’t even in the world’s top 100 a little over a year ago, but now he’s in the top 20 and still in contention for the FedEx Cup, and the two-time DP World Tour champion has only had limited time to assess his meteoric rise in the men’s game.
Aaron Rai needs to finish in the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings after the BMW Championship to qualify for the Tour Championship
“The schedule was so tight that it was hard to find time to really sit down and reflect on the journey,” Rai explains. “But there were some free moments. Like when I recorded the score after the end of Sunday, I felt really, really emotional.”
“I think about my parents and what an accomplishment it is to win a PGA Tour title. I know coming from Wolverhampton to play here is incredible, coming from such humble beginnings. So I'm very blessed and very grateful.”
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He joins Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia as another player of Indian descent to excel on the PGA Tour this season and Rai is proud of his achievements and hopes that the trio can make a positive impact.
“Because of my British Asian ancestry, [golf] Rai admitted that it is not common to play in that context. “I think it is great that Sashith Tigra and Akshay Bhatia are playing on the PGA Tour. Players of Indian origin are playing well and are young – I think it is very inspiring.
“I think what we can do as three people is continue to play good golf but at the same time try to discipline ourselves in the best way possible.
“Whatever impact that has is out of our control, but hopefully we can use these positions in a positive way and set a good example.”
Watch Aaron Rai live during the FedEx Cup Playoffs on Sky Sports Golf. Sky Sports+ It has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, allowing Sky Sports users to watch over 50% of live sport for free this year. Click here to find out more.
