Why Aaron Rye won the 2026 US PGA Championship was a fitting victory in Rocky Balboa’s backyard.

Rye’s father Amric would take him to the 3 Hammer for lessons with instructor Darren Prosser, and the youngster would later head out to the par-three course to put what he was taught into practice.

Rai already possessed a rare tunnel-visioned focus — a trait that enabled him to secure victory at Aronimink — for such a player, Prosser said.

By the age of 10, Rye was coached by Andrew Proudman – who also worked at the 3 Hammers Pro Shop – along with another Wolverhampton pro, Piers Ward, and the pair still guide Rye.

When Prosser’s path crossed again with Rye – at an Open Championship regional qualifier in Coventry – he realized the teenager had quickly developed into a potential tour prospect.

“I barely recognized him,” Prosser told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He was shot in such a short time and he was a really strong guy.

“He was fine physically and mentally, and when you thought he was ready to go pro.”

Rae Aronimink acknowledged the influence of her “mentors” Proudman and Ward in her post-victory press conference, but is eternally grateful to her parents for their sacrifices in helping her reach the pinnacle of her chosen career.

An emotional Rai said she found it “difficult to express what they mean”.

Amrik quit his job to devote more time to developing Rye on the course, with Dalveer – who is of Kenyan-Indian descent – working long hours to support things financially.

“I can’t put into words how much they’ve done in terms of support, care, love. Without them, I wouldn’t be here at all,” Rai said.

Few British Asians have played golf at the highest level and, speaking to BBC Sport in 2018, Rai said that pursuing the sport professionally may not always be encouraged by some parents of Indian origin.

But she said her people always encouraged her to follow her dreams — especially her father, who turned down a tennis scholarship to the United States when she was 20.

“Coming from an Indian family was different in those days,” said Rai, who turned professional in 2012.

“It was more about getting an education and a proper job, and sports or tennis were never seen as proper jobs at the time.

“That pressure to have a certain kind of career is probably from previous generations, and certain career paths are still more prevalent in our culture.”