Aaron Rai wins PGA Championship but faces substantial tax deductions
Aaron Rai is set to surrender a substantial portion of his PGA Championship windfall to the tax authorities after securing the biggest victory of his career at Aronimink, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old from Wolverhampton etched his name into golfing history on Sunday by becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the Wanamaker Trophy. Rai closed with a magnificent five-under-par 65 to finish on nine under, three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.
His triumph earned him the winner’s cheque of $3.69 million (£2.7m), along with a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship and a five-year exemption into the other three majors. Nevertheless, the full amount will not end up in Rai’s bank account as he is expected to lose well over half of his winnings once federal taxes, Pennsylvania state tax, caddie payments, and other professional expenses are deducted.
The total deductions are projected to exceed $1.8 million (£1.4 million), meaning his net earnings will be significantly lower than the headline figure. Although Rai was born and raised in England, he now lives in Florida with his wife, Gaurika Bishnoi. Under the tax treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States, athletes can still be taxed in the country where the income is generated.
Rai, however, was in no mood to dwell on finances after producing what he deemed the finest round of his life to claim a maiden major title. “It’s been a bit of a frustrating season, so to be standing here is definitely outside of my wildest imagination,” he stated after receiving the trophy.
Reflecting on his historic win, Rai noted, “There’s a lot of incredible and historic English players over those hundred years who have gone on to achieve incredible things and had phenomenal careers. But to win this event and then to be the person that’s the first one to have won it in a long time from England is an amazing thing and something to be extremely proud of.”
His victory brought emotional moments, particularly when Rai embraced his wife beside the 18th green. Bishnoi later expressed her belief in his relentless work ethic, stating, “We always believe that he has the game and more than that, that he has the work ethic of a champion.”
As Rai navigates the complexities of his winnings and tax obligations, his career trajectory serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between personal achievement and the financial realities of professional sports.
