Aaron Rai’s parents, Amrik Singh and Dalvir Shukla, raised the 2026 PGA Champion from nothing. This is the immigrant family story behind golf’s newest major winner.
On May 17, 2026, Aaron Rai etched his name into golf history at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. The 31-year-old Englishman won the 108th PGA Championship with a final score of 9-under par, finishing three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.
He became the first Englishman to lift the Wanamaker Trophy in 107 years, and the first player of Indian descent ever to win a men’s major.
But before the 68-foot birdie on 17, before the final-round 65, there were two people in Wolverhampton who made all of it possible.
Aaron Rai’s parents, Amrik Singh and Dalvir Shukla, are the foundation beneath every shot he has ever played.
Aaron Rai’s Parents: An Immigrant Story That Shaped a Major Champion
Amrik Singh was born in England to parents who had emigrated from India. A community worker by profession and an amateur tennis player by passion, Amrik had no background in golf.
What he had instead was a sharp eye. When a young Aaron’s swing started looking more like a golf motion than a tennis stroke, Amrik didn’t hesitate.
He bought books on the golf swing, sought out local coaches, and poured everything he could into supporting his son’s development.
When Aaron was seven, Amrik bought him a set of Titleist 690 MBs, the top Titleist irons available at the time.
After every practice session, he cleaned each groove with a pin, applied baby oil to prevent rust, and stored the clubs in iron covers. Those habits stuck. Rai still uses iron covers on tour today.
“He bought me a set of Titleist 690 MBs when I was seven,” Rai said after winning the PGA Championship. “I practised every day, in all weathers. When the clubs got muddy, dad used a pin to clean every groove.”
Aaron Rai
Aaron Rai’s mother, Dalvir Shukla, brought a different kind of strength to the family. She immigrated to England from Kenya as a teenager and later worked multiple jobs at once, including as a mental health nurse and an aerobics instructor, to support the household.
Watching both parents work that hard left a mark on Rai. He’s pointed to their example throughout his career as the source of his resilience and consistency on tour.
The Kenya connection resurfaced in a quietly extraordinary moment in March 2017. Rai won the Barclays Kenya Open by three strokes, and Dalvir was there on the 18th green to embrace him.
It was her first visit to the country since she left in 1970. It also happened to be Mother’s Day in the UK.
Rai is the youngest of four children, with two older sisters and a brother. He’s spoken about his siblings and mother as a grounding presence throughout his career, people who were “very fast to reinforce the importance of just being a good person” away from golf.
How Aaron Rai’s Multicultural Heritage and Early Sacrifices Led to the Wanamaker Trophy
Aaron’s introduction to golf was purely accidental. As a toddler, he kept hurting himself with his brother’s hockey stick, so Dalvir went out to find something safer and came home with plastic golf clubs instead.
His multicultural roots run deep through England, India, and Kenya. Rai openly carries all three identities, and you can explore this further in our piece on Aaron Rai’s ethnicity and British-Asian heritage.
Off the course, he’s married to Gaurika Bishnoi, an Indian professional golfer with eight wins on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour. He credits her mindset and competitive insight as an invaluable part of his support system.
Aaron Rai’s parents never played golf. They worked hard, immigrated to a new country, and raised a son who had a talent they had to teach themselves to understand. On May 17, 2026, that investment paid off on the biggest stage in golf.
Frequently Asked Question
Who is Aaron Rai’s wife?
Aaron Rai is married to Gaurika Bishnoi, an Indian professional golfer with eight wins on the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour.
What is Aaron Rai’s net worth?
Aaron Rai’s net worth is estimated between $12 million and $16 million, boosted significantly by his $3.69 million winner’s check from the 2026 PGA Championship.
How old is Aaron Rai?
Aaron Rai was born on March 3, 1995, making him 31 years old.
What nationality is Aaron Rai?
Aaron Rai is British, born and raised in Wolverhampton, England, though he proudly represents Indian and Kenyan heritage through his parents.
