League: PGA Tour Sport: Golf Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Aaron Rai shoots 66 to lead first round at Wentworth

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 4:10 PM

Last updated Sep 17, 2026

Aaron Rai shoots 66 to lead first round at Wentworth

Summary

Aaron Rai shot a first-round 66 at Wentworth on September 17, 2026, during the US PGA Championship. This solid performance allowed him to outshine his playing partner Rory McIlroy, who had recently posted a striking 60 in a pro-am event. McIlroy dismissed the achievement as not significant, noting it was just for social media. Alongside Rai, Ryan Fox and Patrick Reed also made strong openings in the tournament.

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The Guardian Sport

By the Numbers

•Aaron Rai leads with a 66 in the first round at Wentworth.
•Rory McIlroy scored 60 in a prior pro-am round.
•McIlroy downplayed his pro-am performance.
•Ryan Fox and Patrick Reed also had strong starts.

Latest Updates

4:10 PMThe Guardian Sport — Aaron Rai shrugs off early nerves to outshine playing partner Rory McIlroy

What they're saying

"
US PGA champion shoots first-round 66 at Wentworth Ryan Fox and Patrick Reed also lay down early markers What do you get for shooting 60 in a pro-am? Just ask Rory McIlroy. “Nothing,” said the Masters champion. “Besides a social media post I didn’t want.” McIlroy was laughing but the underlying sentiment was obvious; exceptional rounds are best saved for the real stuff. News that McIlroy had taken only 60 shots around Wentworth’s West Course while in the company of celebrities was a hot topic for conversation going in to this PGA Championship. McIlroy shrugged off the score as something he produces fairly regularly. “It doesn’t mean anything,” he added. “My playing partners were happy, they won something.” Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Ewan Murray at Wentworth

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