Backed by his father’s advice and PGA title, Aaron Rai enters India Championship among favourites

England’s Aaron Rai is one of the leading contenders at this week’s DP World India Championship. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement 

After carrying the bag for his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi, at last year’s Hero Women’s Indian Open, Aaron Rai is back in the National Capital Region this year - this time to compete himself.

The 31-year-old’s profile has risen considerably since his last visit to these shores. In May, Rai stunned the golfing world by winning the PGA Championship, becoming the first Englishman to lift the title since Jim Barnes in 1919.

One of the leading contenders at this week’s DP World India Championship, Rai acknowledged that the historic triumph had changed his life.

The soft-spoken Englishman, regarded as one of the nicest men on the tour, attributes much of his success to his parents, Amrik and Dalvir, who are of Indian descent. Despite their limited financial means, they made significant sacrifices to support their son’s golfing ambitions.

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His father, in particular, instilled in him the belief that there were no limits to what he could achieve. “There is nothing that you cannot achieve - that was my father’s big message. There shouldn’t be any limitations, no matter where you’re from, no matter what you have or don’t have,” Rai said at a press conference at the Delhi Golf Club here on Tuesday.

“Society can put you into boxes of what you can and cannot achieve, which creates limitations. But if you are really diligent and disciplined, every single person has a huge amount of potential that can be fulfilled,” he added.

Rai is among a rare breed of golfers who uses iron covers to appreciate the true value of his equipment. More broadly, he has sought to remain grounded and approachable, holding on to the values instilled in him.

“I think every person has that responsibility to try and be warm, and try to set good examples. We don’t understand the positivity that can create for someone else and the ripple effect that can have,” he said.