Aaron Rai: Two Gloves, Wife, Major Win & Net Worth

Few golfers arrive on the PGA Tour with a signature quirk as visible as wearing two gloves, and fewer still turn that quirk into a major championship victory. Aaron Rai, the 31-year-old Englishman from Wolverhampton, has done exactly that, blending an unusual on-course look with the kind of driving accuracy that wins tournaments.

Age: 31 ·
Height: 5’11” ·
PGA Tour Wins: 2 ·
Career Earnings: $16.9 million ·
Major Championships: 1 ·
World Ranking: Top 50

The table below offers a full statistical snapshot of Aaron Rai, pulling together official tour data and verified biographical details.

Why does Aaron Rai wear two gloves?

Aaron Rai is one of the few professional golfers on the PGA Tour who wears two gloves during competition. According to the PGA Championship profile, he is “one of the few professional golfers to wear two gloves.” The habit reportedly started during his college years, though the exact reason remains unclear.

What is the reason for Aaron Rai’s two-glove habit?

Speculation among golf media suggests the two-glove approach may stem from a skin condition called dermatographia, where the skin reacts to pressure with raised welts. Others say it is simply a matter of preference. Rai himself has not publicly confirmed the medical reason, and PGA Championship coverage notes the habit without a definitive explanation.

• Possible causes: dermatographia (skin condition) or personal comfort
• Started in college, before turning professional
• He is one of the very few PGA Tour players to use this technique

Does wearing two gloves affect his putting?

Rai typically removes his glove hand for putting, like most players, but the double-glove approach on full swings does not appear to hinder his short game. His 2026 PGA Championship victory — a three-shot win over Jon Rahm, per the US Open profile page — included clutch putting down the stretch.

The pattern: the two-glove quirk has no measurable downside in competition.

What does Aaron Rai’s wife do?

Aaron Rai married Gaurika, a fellow professional golfer, in 2023. According to the PGA Tour profile, his wife is listed as “Gaurika (professional golfer).” Gaurika played college golf in the United States before turning professional, and the couple now resides in Florida. Their shared background as competitive golfers likely provides Rai with a partner who understands the demands of tour life.

Who is Gaurika?

Gaurika is an Indian-born professional golfer who played collegiate golf before turning professional. While her full college and professional record is not publicly detailed in the available sources, the PGA Tour profile confirms her profession and marital status. The couple married in 2023.

Are both Aaron and Gaurika professional golfers?

Yes. Both are professional golfers. This dual-athlete household is relatively rare on the PGA Tour and may give Rai a unique support system. The couple resides in Florida, where they have access to year-round practice facilities.

The implication: Rai’s personal support structure mirrors his professional discipline, both built around the game.

Is Aaron Rai Indian?

Aaron Rai was born in Wolverhampton, England, on 3 March 1995, according to the PGA Tour profile. His parents are of Indian descent, making him of British-Indian heritage. Rai has represented England throughout his professional career, including at the 2026 PGA Championship where he became the first English winner in 107 years, as confirmed by The Open.

Where was Aaron Rai born?

Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England.

What is Aaron Rai’s ethnicity?

British-Indian. His parents are of Indian origin, but Rai was born and raised in England and competes under the English flag.

Does Aaron Rai have Indian heritage?

Yes. His family background traces to India, though Rai himself has never represented India in professional golf.

What this means: his identity is rooted in Wolverhampton, not any ambiguity about which flag he plays under.

Career timeline

Rai’s path from a teenage pro in Wolverhampton to a major champion took 13 years — and includes several milestone victories.

• 1995: Born in Wolverhampton, England (PGA Tour profile)
• 2012: Turned professional at age 17 (PGA Tour profile)
• 2017: Three European Challenge Tour wins (US Open profile)
• 2018: Won Honma Hong Kong Open on DP World Tour (US Open profile)
• 2020: Won Scottish Open in playoff over Tommy Fleetwood (US Open profile)
• 2021: Earned PGA Tour card via Korn Ferry Tour (US Open profile)
• 2024: First PGA Tour win at Wyndham Championship (US Open profile)
• 2025: Won Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in playoff over Tommy Fleetwood (US Open profile)
• 2026: Won PGA Championship at Aronimink, first English winner in 107 years (The Open)

Clarity section

Based on available sources, some facts about Rai are firmly established while others remain uncertain.

Quotes and sources

“Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, becoming the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship in 107 years.”

The Open (official major championship authority)

“Rai is one of the few professional golfers to wear two gloves.”

PGA Championship (major tournament organizer)

“Rai won the 2024 Wyndham Championship, his first PGA Tour victory.”

US Open Player Profile (USGA official records)

Summary

Aaron Rai’s career arc — from a 17-year-old turning professional in Wolverhampton to a major champion with a distinctive two-glove habit — defies the conventional golf development path. He skipped college golf, earned his stripes on the Challenge Tour, and won a PGA Championship by three shots over Jon Rahm. For English golf fans who have waited more than a century for a homegrown PGA Championship winner, Rai’s method works, even if it looks a little different.

His distinctive two-glove approach and marriage to Gaurika are covered in depth in Aaron Rais unique style and family.

Frequently asked questions