From the early wave and making his tourney debut, PGA TOUR rookie and World No. 124 Aaron Rai styled a career-tying-low, bogey-free 5-under 32-33=65 in R1 of the Wells Fargo Championship to sit in a four-way T1.
If this lead/co-lead holds up, it would be the Englishman’s first lead/co-lead after any round on the PGA TOUR in 80 rounds. Of the 77 players who are in the house, his is one of only three that managed their way around TPC Potomac error-free, joining Brendan Steele (68) and Chez Reavie (69). Beginning on 10 tee, the 27-year-old striped 12 (of 14) fairways and landed 13 greens in regulation, gaining ground in all strokes gained metrics, including a 3.881 tee-to-green and 1.140 with the flat stick. He ticked five birdies at 13, 14, 2, 7 and 9, each from inside of 11 feet, highlighted by a long of 10'8" for a walk-off 2, and post-round (link below), credited his recent surge in form to a trip back home to the U.K. to see his dad and coaches.