KEEPING HIS FEET ON THE GROUND

Aaron Rai is now a Rolex Series champion and two-time European Tour winner, but don’t expect him to lose his humility

- Kit Alexander

Nice guys don’t always finish last. In fact, quite often they win. Aaron Rai is proof of that. I promise you won’t find a humbler, more grounded and appreciative professional golfer on the planet. He’s remained that way from turning pro at 17 years old to graduating from the EuroPro and Challenge Tours, establishing himself on the European Tour and beating a world-class field to win the Scottish Open in September.

The Wolverhampton native finished in a lofty eighth position on the Race to Dubai, and while he and his close-knit family are enjoying the success, they remain focused on the smaller things that add up to the big accomplishments.

“It’s been more of a feeling of satisfaction between all of us, rather than any huge celebrations or outbursts of emotions,” Rai says. “Yes, it’s an incredible journey, but equally it’s still just a part of the process. It comes down to the things that have led us to this point, which is good routines, structure and habits. My dad has tried to enforce that this is great and I should enjoy it, but still just get back to doing what you’ve been doing and see where it takes you. I get so much enjoyment from seeing myself progress and improve. The successes will follow if you do the right things.”

It’s a typically self-aware and mature answer from a man who already seems to have most of life’s big questions figured out. He banked just shy of a million Euros for his Rolex Series win and supplemented that with a runnerup finish in the Irish Open and solo-third at the Scottish Championship over a very lucrative four-week stretch. While many golfers – and most of us – would be itching to get spending, Rai offers a refreshing perspective.