BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

September 18, 2026

Aaron Rai

Wentworth Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Joint overnight leader last night. Give us your assessment of how that was for you?

AARON RAI: Yeah, really pleased overall. Today was really tricky. We had a lot of wind. We started on front nine and a lot of holes were into the wind, crosswind. Played really well. Really positive to finish with a couple birdies, so really pleased.

Q. Bearing in mind the summer that you've had, how was it sleeping on that lead overnight? What are you learning about yourself over the summer?

AARON RAI: That's a really good question. I think, firstly, it's great to play well the first day, to feel like I got into the tournament quickly, and over the last couple months, I haven't really started off that fast in tournaments. They have not been bad starts but they have been kind of pretty average for the most part. So that was really pleasing.

I try not to look too much at leaderboards at the end of of the first day, second day. A lot can happen. I didn't feel a certain way sleeping overnight on the lead.

Q. And then in terms of being here and the home crowds, now as a Major winner, something I'm sure you're getting used to, how is it out there?

AARON RAI: It's awesome. We had a great group the first two days playing with Rory and Ryan Fox. Amazing support for all of us. It was a great atmosphere to play in. Really enjoyed it.

Q. What have you learned from those first two rounds that can help you in the weekend?

AARON RAI: It's been nice getting a feel for the course. I've found playing certainly into the fairways -- not sure how your day is going to go but get a sense of how it's playing.

Q. Lovely way to close out that 69, a couple of birdies. Tell us how you evaluate today's round.

AARON RAI: Really good round overall. Conditions felt a little more challenging than they did yesterday. Wind was a little stronger. Very similar direction.

But yeah, just felt very challenging, especially the front nine. With the way the wind was, it felt like there were a few more opportunities than the back nine, a few more downwind holes. Pins are a little bit more accessible, I felt, on the back nine.

So, yeah, it was nice to feel like I have a few more chances on the back and great to finish, as you said, with birdie, birdie on 17, especially after making birdie on 16.

Q. It was a treat for us, and I know the fans enjoyed, it seeing three Major Champions playing together. What was it like for you the last two days?

AARON RAI: Yeah, it was absolutely awesome. Being paired with Rory and Ryan -- we actually joked at about it at the start, Ryan's caddie, saying how that's probably what the pairing will be like on Thursday and Friday. Rory is such a gentleman, and Ryan I've known for quite a while.

Q. You've left yourself in a great position. How do you approach the weekend?

AARON RAI: In a similar vein, really. I think it's still meant to be pretty windy the next couple of days, maybe 10 to 15 miles an hour, gusting to 20. There are holes that are pretty difficult. There are a handful of holes that present a few more opportunities. You just have to kind of perspective your moments and just, yeah, try and obviously stay present and focus on each shot.