Aaron Rai has built a reputation as one of golf’s most-loved figures, and for good reason. Everyone from Rory McIlroy to Xander Schauffele to Jon Rahm spoke highly of Rai after he won the PGA Championship. Other than words like “hardworking” and “humble,” “kind” and “nicest” were some of the epithets pros used to describe Rai. The Englishman once again showed why everyone on both the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour loves and respects him.
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His latest gesture towards struggling pro Pablo Larrazabal left everyone in awe. He is a nine-time DP World Tour winner and one of the most experienced players on the tour. But the year has been difficult. He has missed nine consecutive cuts before finally making it to the DS Automobiles Open d’Italia last month. But he missed the cut again at last week’s BMW Championship. He has not hidden how much that run has weighed on him and recently spoke to Rai about his struggles.
They were on the range on Monday at the Genesis Scottish Open. This was the first time they met since last year, as Rai mostly plays on the PGA Tour nowadays. Larrazabal told about the current state of his game, and it stuck with Rai. The Englishman asked his brother-in-law to print some images of Larrazabal hoisting a trophy. His brother picked the pictures, printed them in the clubhouse, and also gave Rai a paper to write a note.
In a simple, heartwarming gesture, the PGA Championship winner left a handwritten note and kept the note secretly in his locker room before Pablo Larrazábal teed up for the Genesis Scottish Open. The note was short but inspiring, and the Spaniard himself shared a picture of it.
“Pablo, the guy in this picture is you and is much closer to the present you than you think. Keep fighting, keep working hard, and most importantly, keep believing. In each tournament, each round, and each shot. Best wishes, Aaron Rai,” the note read.
“To receive a note like that makes me very happy that I’ve been doing the right things around for the last 19 years. And a guy like Aaron, he’s a Major champion but a true champion. That’s how champions have to behave,” Larrazabal said, speaking of Aaron Rai.
The duo became friends in 2018 and have shared a warm bond since. Rai’s kind gesture showed becoming a major champion hasn’t changed him as a person. He is still the kind-hearted guy helping and inspiring his fellow pros. The note was certainly needed for Larrazabal.
Speaking after the KLM Open in early June, Larrazábal said that this was his 19th season on the circuit. He shared that he has a family to support and a kid to take care of, and the long winless stretch was troubling him.
Is Aaron Rai the nicest man in golf?
After seeing Pablo Larrazábal struggle with results this season, Aaron Rai left a handwritten note in his locker. The DP World Tour family looking out for each other 💙#GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/iTiD0hiPsU
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 9, 2026
This is not the first time Aaron Rai has shown support for his loved ones. When he broke through at the PGA Championship in May, attention turned to the “Me and My Golf” logo on his cap and shirt. It was later shared that they were his two longtime coaches, Andy Proudman and Piers Ward, who have worked with him since he was 11. It was Rai’s way of putting people who shaped him front and center rather than choosing sponsors.
It also explains why every player spoke highly of him after the PGA Championship victory.
“I have heard absolutely nothing but good or great things about Aaron Rai. He’s been playing great golf. He’s a fantastic golfer. He’s been able to perform really well. What he did today is nothing short of special,” said Jon Rahm back in May.
“I’m super happy for him. He’s such a good dude… Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you,” added Xander Schauffele.
That said, Aaron Rai is also playing at the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club. After that, he heads to the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next week.