Wolverhampton golfer Aaron Rai lands new Rory McIlroy award

Rai was presented with the new honour ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.

The annual award has been introduced by the DP World Tour to recognise the player who earns the most Race to Dubai points across the four Major championships - The US Masters, US PGA Championship, US Open and The Open.

And Rai came out on top after a standout campaign in the biggest tournaments of the year.

The 31-year-old produced the biggest win of his career at the US PGA Championship in May, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the famous Wanamaker Trophy.

Rai produced a brilliant back-nine display at Aronimink Golf Club to seal his Major breakthrough and write his name into the history books.

He had already recorded a tied 48th finish at The Masters before following that with a tied 11th place at the U.S. Open.

His final Major appearance of the season saw him finish tied 79th at The Open.

Across the four tournaments, Rai amassed 1,876.5 Race To Dubai points to claim the first award named after McIlroy.

And it was particularly fitting that the Wolverhampton golfer received the trophy alongside the four-time Major winner himself.

Rai and McIlroy will play together over the opening two rounds of the BMW PGA Championship, but the pair came together on Tuesday for the presentation.

Rai said: “It’s really special. I think the award having Rory’s name is befitting of his stature in the game and it representing achievements in the Major Championships.

“On a personal level it’s a really special and huge achievement.

“They’re the four biggest events that we have in the sport and to have an award that’s associated with performances in those four events in 2026 means a lot to me.”

Rai has long admired McIlroy and revealed the significance of receiving an award bearing the Northern Irishman’s name.

“Rory is a legend of the modern game and he’s got a hell of a long way to go in what he’s going to achieve,” he said.

“To be the winner of that award and what it represents means a lot to me.

“He’s a player that I’ve looked up to massively as a kid and having the opportunity to play with him, compete with him, get advice from him as well over the years... to win the inaugural award that has his name on it is extremely special.”