AMANDA BALIONIS: It is now my pleasure to welcome the vice president of the PGA of America, Nathan Charnes. I believe you have two very special presentations to make.
NATHAN CHARNES: I do. Thank you, Amanda. First, a very special thank you first to the Philadelphia PGA section. To Aronimink Golf Club. To the city of Newtown Square, to the more than 3,000 volunteers that were here this week, and most importantly, to the fans that made this PGA Championship so much fun.
This week 20 of our PGA of America golf professionals competed as part of the core bridge financial team of 20. At this time, I'd like to recognize the low PGA of America club professional in the field, Ben Kern.
(Applause.)
AMANDA BALIONIS: Ben, congratulations. Now it's that time to present the Wanamaker trophy.
NATHAN CHARNES. It's my honor on behalf of PGA of America to present the Wanamaker trophy to the champion of the 108th PGA Championship, Aaron Rai.
(Applause.)
AMANDA BALIONIS: Aaron Rai, congratulations. Entering this week, you were calling this season a frustrating one. You've been battling injury, most recently, your neck. You haven't been able to practice the way you wanted to. Yet you leave here a major champion, taking down the strongest field in golf. How did you do it, and what are you most proud of?
AARON RAI: Very surreal, Amanda. As you said, it's been a bit of a frustrating season. So to be stood here is definitely outside of my wildest imagination.
But I think just really good consistency over the last few weeks in terms of practice, body's been feeling great, and really enjoyed the course this week and continued to hold the rounds together as the week went on.
Yeah, phenomenal to be stood here.
AMANDA BALIONIS: Talking to your inner circle, to your peers a couple minutes ago, they all said you're one of the best human beings they have ever met. A part of that has to do with your respect that you have for the game. What has the game of golf given to you, and what does the game of golf mean to you?
AARON RAI: Golf is an amazing game. It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game no matter what level you're playing, no matter what course you're playing on.
So I think it just teaches so many amazing life skills. And I think pretty much every guy on TOUR are incredible people, and I think the sport should be very proud of the ambassadors that represent the PGA TOUR and represent the PGA of America.
AMANDA BALIONIS: They are all certainly very proud of you. Let's talk about the exclamation point you put on your round, that birdie on 17. Second longest putt made over the course of the entire field all weekend. You do it when it matters most. What did you see?
AARON RAI: Definitely wasn't trying to hole that put. The shadow of the pin gave a really nice line for probably the last 10 feet. So that definitely helped with the visual of the putts.
But it was so long that it was just trying to put good speed on it and make a good putt, and it just tracked extremely well on the last half. Yeah, amazing to see that one go in.
AMANDA BALIONIS: An amazing performance from start to finish. Aaron Rai, take your trophy one more time because this bad boy is coming home with you. Congratulations.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports