Aaron Rai recorded the lowest round of the weekend on his way to his first Rolex Series title at The Renaissance Club on Sunday.
Here, we take a look at the stats behind his second European Tour victory, at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
The Englishman carded a final round 64 to set the clubhouse target on 11 under par, before claiming victory with a par on the first play-off hole against fellow countryman Tommy Fleetwood.
Yet it was not just his final round but rather the impressive work throughout the week – and in particular during a difficult Saturday - which helped him to his first Rolex Series title.
The contrast in both course routing and weather was stark between this year and last, leaving some interesting comparisons between the victories of 2019 champion Bernd Wiesberger and Rai.
While Wiesberger led the field for birdies in 2019 on his way to a tournament scoring record of 22 under par, for Rai the formula was centred around limiting mistakes.
Rai, who was the only player in the field to go bogey-free during Saturday’s testing conditions, dropped just four shots for the entire week, the fewest of any other player by two.
The 25-year-old ranked eighth in the field for greens in regulation (77.78%), but an ability to recover and a sharp short game were also key to his victory: He ranked fourth for scrambling with an impressive 81.25%, in addition to gaining 2.48 shots over the field from tee to green, and 0.81 strokes around the green.
On his way to the title he dropped his fourth and final shot on the par four second, the hardest hole of the week, before recording five birdies in his next six holes to make the turn in 32. He added further gains at the 12th, 13th and 16th holes on his way to a seven under 64, the joint lowest round of the day with Thomas Detry.
Rai’s excellent form carried on from last week’s runner-up finish at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, and marks the first time he has carded back-to-back top 10s on the European Tour.
Below was his formula for victory.
The stats behind Aaron Rai's win
• 1st: Bogeys per round
• 2nd SG: Tee to green (+2.48)
• 4th: Scrambling (81.25%)
• 8th: GIR (77.78%)
• 12th: SG Around green (0.81)
• 17th: SG Off the tee (0.77)
• 29th: Driving Accuracy (59.62%)
