PGA champion Aaron Rai has a problem: His wife beats him in golf

Aaron Rai and his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi Rai, pose with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

PGA champion Aaron Rai has a problem: His wife beats him in golf

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated May 19, 2026 11:25 AM ET

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Aaron Rai jumped into a new stratosphere of golfers Sunday when he beat the best players in the world to win the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. Now, he must figure how to defeat his wife on the course.

Rai's wife, Gaurika, is also a professional golfer and a worthy adversary. According to Rai, Gaurika is one of the toughest opponents he faces.

"We practice quite a lot together. Honestly, she beats me more times than I beat her," Rai said after the final round of the PGA Championship, per Golf Digest. "When we have putting contests, chipping contests, we do some wedge games on TrackMan. I do well to keep up with her. She really is that good.

"We play a little bit on the course, but I’ve played Sawgrass —that’s where we live — a little bit more than her, and I think that little bit of experience helps. But it’s still very close with us even on the course."

Gaurika is much more than a helpful practice partner. She's Rai's biggest fan, and he wouldn't have become a major champion without her unflinching support.

Aaron Rai credits his wife

Aaron Rai's wife, Gaurika, is also a professional golfer. So who wins when they compete against each other?

"Honestly, she beats me more times than I beat her." pic.twitter.com/itPmgX57mp
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 18, 2026

The road to the top of professional golf is never easy. Up-and-coming golfers need strong support systems to convince them to keep chasing their dreams, and that's exactly what Rai found in Gaurika.

The two met at the Hero Indian Open in 2018 when Rai was still a member of the DP World Tour. Gaurika was by his side throughout his journey to the PGA Tour and his move to the United States from England in 2021. During that journey, Rai himself probably had doubts that he could achieve what he just did at Aronimink, but Gaurika never faltered in her belief.

"She’s been incredible," Rai said with the Wanamaker Trophy by his side. "I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wouldn’t be here without her. Both as a companion, as a friend, as someone I’m sharing my life with, but also as a real support system for my game. She’s a professional golfer herself.

"So her mindset, her advice, her thoughts, whether it’s technique or the way I’m holding myself is absolutely invaluable. She encompasses so many different sides in her opinions."

Rai's admiration for his wife is evident, but he surely would like to improve his record against her on the course. Now that he's a PGA champion, maybe the tides will turn.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

More must-reads: