The powerful advice that helped Rai win the US PGA
When Sunday dawned, Rai was far from being the trophy favourite. Alongside him in second was two-time major champion Jon Rahm, while serial winners Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele were just a further shot back. They were among 22 players within four of the lead held by America's Alex Smalley in the most congested leaderboard in US PGA Championship history.
Few expected Rai, with only one win on the PGA Tour, to be the man who stepped up. But from the moment he made eagle on the ninth, he was untouchable, shooting six under through his final 10 holes to win by three shots. As anticipated, the attention on Rai since has been hugely amplified, but like his wife predicted, he seems to be taking it in his stride - not that he would admit it.
"The reception and the warmth that has come from Sunday has been a little overwhelming," he said, speaking to the media from his home, four days on from the biggest win of this career. Rai met his wife at the 2018 Indian Open and they got married last summer. On Sunday, she was waiting by the 18th green for her husband and the couple shared a meaningful embrace as he clinched his maiden major title.
"There was part of me that imagined how many more commitments and areas that would come with [winning]," Rai said. "During previous tournaments, I felt it was a lot of change, I was extremely busy and it felt like more to handle. "[My wife] is extremely honest with me - through the good and through the not-so-good.
That particular piece of advice was very reassuring. " Aaron Rai has won more than $16m (£11. 9m) on the PGA Tour Unlike most professional golfers, Rai does not have an agent - something he insists will not change despite rising to 15th in the world after his victory.