Aaron Rai has opened up about the significant influence his father has had on his golfing career. The Wolverhampton-born golfer kicked off his first appearance at the prestigious Masters tournament on Thursday. Since turning pro in 2012, Rai has flown through the ranks from the Challenge Tour, where he claimed three titles, to making his mark on the European Tour and finally stepping into the esteemed PGA Tour in 2022. The 30-year-old won his first PGA Tour tournament at the Wyndham Championship in 2024 and also achieved five other top-10 finishes last year alone. His recent successes have earned him a coveted spot at the Masters, where he'll be pitting his skills against the best in golf in the season's first major. But for those not familiar with Rai's story, his choice of attire at Augusta National might be a surprise for some, as he's known for wearing two golfing gloves out on the course. While most opt for a single glove to aid grip and leave the other hand bare, Rai's approach deviates from the norm for personal reasons. According to Golf Monthly, the PGA Tour star revealed that his double-glove habit started "when I was eight years old" and was a practice created by his father. Rai said: "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. "Then, a few weeks down the line, my dad forgot to put the two gloves in the bag so I had to play with one. It was terrible. I couldn't play, I couldn't feel the grip, so I've always stuck with the two gloves ever since." But it's not only the gloves that make Rai stand out on the course - he also uses iron headcovers, a practice many golfers don't follow. Rai attributes this to a touching backstory involving his father and their shared love for the sport. Speaking with Golf.com, Rai opened up about his family's sacrifices for his golfing career, and how this affects him to this day. "I grew up in very much a working-class family, and golf has always been a very expensive game," he said. "I started from the age of four years old, and my dad used to pay for the equipment, pay for my memberships, my entry fees. And it wasn't money that we really had, to be honest, but he'd always buy me the best clubs. "When I was about seven or eight years old, [my dad] bought me a set of Titleist 690 MBs, and they were like 800-1,000 pounds back then, just for a set of clubs for a kid. I cherished them. When we used to go out and practice, he used to clean every single groove afterward with a pin and with baby oil." Rai revealed that his father's habit of putting protective covers over golf clubs instilled in him a deep sense of gratitude. The golfer explained: "I've pretty much had iron covers on all of my sets ever since just to appreciate the value of what I have, and it all started with that first set. "Although on the PGA Tour, we get given equipment, and we get given everything that we need, it's more out of principle. The value of not losing perspective of what I have and where I am. The covers are going to stay, I'm sorry." The story highlights Rai's down-to-earth nature and the importance he places on valuing his possessions - a lesson from his father that remains with him as he navigates his professional career. And perhaps this ingrained humility could be the secret ingredient that propels him to an unexpected Masters victory, adding an incredible chapter to his journey in the sport.