English golfer Aaron Rai has voiced his support for the PGA's decision not to allow preferred lies on damp fairways at the PGA Championship, contradicting the views of top players like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. While Scheffler, the world No. 1, was left frustrated by the presence of mudballs, and Schauffele, the world No.3, felt it was silly to have to deal with such conditions, Rai took a more laid-back stance.

When asked about the situation after his opening round, Rai backed the tournament officials, saying: "Yeah, I think the PGA Tour and the PGA of America referees know what they're doing. They know a lot more than us as players.

"So that decision would have been based on the right reasons," "There were a couple of spots that were pretty wet on the fairways, but that's to be expected with just how much rain that we've had.

"But I think it's extremely dry around the greens and the run-offs are extremely tight, so I think without playing preferred lies, it brought in the challenge of the short game a little bit more, which I think is an important part of the course.

"So yeah, I thought the decision was good and the course played great overall."

This story first appeared on the Daily Record