Aaron Rai is hunting a PGA Championship title while wearing his trademark two gloves. The English golfer sits two shots back entering Sunday with a routine that started as a childhood accident.

This double-glove approach is part of the reason behind his strong ball-striking. He believes this unique habit has helped him maintain a top-50 world ranking for the past two years.

"I just happened to be given these two gloves – the guy who actually makes them sent a pair over – and I got into the habit of wearing them," Rai revealed.

The routine became essential after his father forgot the gloves a few weeks later. Forced to play standard golf, the young Englishman felt completely lost on the course.

"It was terrible. I couldn't play, I couldn't feel the grip, so I've always stuck with the two gloves ever since," Rai said.

The experience convinced him to adopt the two-glove approach.

Switching to a single glove now would severely hurt his game. However, he does take them off to putt for better control and uses just one glove for bunker shots.

Equipment Preferences and Playstyles on Tour 

Rai has a few other idiosyncrasies that set him apart from his peers. Along with his double gloves, he is one of the few pros who uses iron covers.

His equipment choice led him to become an ambassador for MacWet. The company designs sports gloves that actually increase their grip the wetter they get, helping players handle harsh weather conditions.

Other players have historic equipment quirks too, like Tommy Gainey playing in two gloves or standard pros changing gloves every few holes. It shows how important specific feelings and routines are to success.

Currently, Rai is searching for his first major title. He sits tied for second place at 4-under par, just two shots back heading into the final round of the PGA Championship.

Rai splits his time between Wolverhampton and Jacksonville, Florida. Fans will keep a close eye on his unique grip as he chases his first major breakthrough on tour.

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav