“Just to appreciate the value of what I have” - Aaron Rai gives emotional story behind his iron covers, says it’s ‘going to stay’ despite the jokes

Wyndham Championship winner Aaron Rai once shared an emotional story behind his iron covers, insisting they would stay with him despite all the criticism.

On Sunday, August 11, Rai fired a 6-under 64 to win the Wyndham Championship. He accelerated to 18-under, beating Max Greyserman by two strokes.

A few years ago, Aaron Rai appeared on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, where he shed light on the story behind his iron covers. Notably, he has faced online trolling for using them.

"It started from the age of four years old, when my dad used to pay for my equipment," he told Jason Sobel and Michael Collins of SiriusXM PGA Tour. "He paid for my membership, paid for my entry fees. It wasn't money that we really had, to be honest, but he'd always buy me the best clubs."

He added that his dad used to clean each of his grooves with a pin and baby oil. He also used to put iron covers on his clubs to protect them.

"And I've pretty much had iron covers on all my sets ever since, just to kind of appreciate the value of what I have. It’s more out of principle and it’s more out of just the value of not losing perspective of what I have and where I am. The covers are going to stay," he added.

When will Aaron Rai compete next?

Aaron Rai will next compete at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first of the three FedEx Cup Playoffs. The event will take place from Thursday, August 15, to Sunday, August 18, at TPC Southwind in Memphis.

Rai finished 25th in the FedEx Cup standings and made a 28-spot jump after winning the Wyndham Championship. He made 18 cuts in 22 starts this season, including six top-10 finishes. Besides his win last week, he also had a runner-up finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Here's a look at Aaron Rai's performances this season:

Sony Open in Hawaii: T57
The American Express: CUT
Farmers Insurance Open: T33
WM Phoenix Open: CUT
Mexico Open at Vidanta: T19
Puerto Rico Open: T23
The Players Championship: T35
Valspar Championship: CUT
Texas Children's Houston Open: T7
Valero Texas Open: T58
Corales Puntacana Championship: CUT
Zurich Classic of New Orleans: T23
THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson: T4
PGA Championship: T39
Charles Schwab Challenge: T32
RBC Canadian Open: T14
U.S. Open: T19
Rocket Mortgage Classic: T2
John Deere Classic: T7
Genesis Scottish Open: T4
The Open Championship: T75
Wyndham Championship: 1

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Edited by Shobhit Kukreti