Aaron Rai BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds

Aaron Rai has emerged as a genuine contender for the 2026 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award following his heroic triumph at the PGA Championship in May.

The 31-year-old became the first Englishman to capture the Wanamaker Trophy in over a century as he sealed a sensational victory at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

Rai, who had never previously finished inside the top 10 of a major, carded a remarkable five-under-par to finish nine under overall, three shots clear of Spanish great Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley who tied for second.

Aaron Rai BBC Sports Personality of the Year odds

(Odds will display when market is available)

The notoriously tricky course scrambled the heads of many throughout the four days, but Rai masterfully plotted his route to PGA Championship glory.

He followed his opening round 70 with a one-under 69 on the second day, before making a major move on the Saturday, with his superbly executed 67 providing him a perfect opportunity to attack the course on championship Sunday.

Rai, who grew up in Birmingham, did just that, especially down the back nine, birdying 11 and 13 to put himself in the driving seat, before further birdies on 16 and 17 sealed him the biggest win of his career to date.

"It is very surreal," said Rai, who has struggled to practise at times this year because of a neck injury," he told the media following his triumph.

"It has been a frustrating season, so being stood here is outside of my wildest imagination."

Rai's Stateside win also means that UK golfers have won the first two of the year's four golfing majors for the first time after Rory McIlroy retained his Masters crown a month earlier.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.