Arjun Atwal

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Arjun Atwal: First Indian Ever to Win On PGA Tour, Makes History

Arjun

Arjun Atwal, bounced back impressively after losing his card 4 weeks before. He achieved a history making victory by winning in the initial weeks of the Wyndham Championships, a victory which many wouldn’t have considered him capable of.

The week was quite eventful for the Indian as he wormed his way into the tournament by qualifying on Monday through the Qualifiers. He scripted history by going on from the qualifiers which are for players who are not directly entered into the tournament, to win a remarkable victory. It was Fred Wadsworth who last achieved such a feat in Southern Open tournament way back in 1986.

Atwal came back with a burgeoning purse containing $918,000, the highest he has received in his career after demolishing his opponents and staking a claim to the winners’ purse with an impressive 20 under 260. This tournament has been a lot of firsts for Indian players. Jeev Milkha Singh, the Chandigarh golfer also made his presence felt in the top 20, finishing with a 14 under 266 to hold on to the 18th spot. Thus, for the first time, 2 notable Indian golfers have simultaneously featured in the top 20 in a PGA tour.

Atwal claims he was pretty nervous during the dying moments despite having a clear and substantial 3 shot lead. It was a dream come true for the 37 year old Atwal who once occupied the elite spot or 1st ranking in golf in the year 2003. He has since gone on to create a niche for himself by claiming Asian, European and nationwide tours.

‘I have no words to describe it,’ sighed a visibly tired and elated Atwal who has stormed back in style after a shattering Shoulder injury incurred the previous year. He says as an afterthought, ‘I really grinded it today. I was so nervous over that putt.’

This amazing victory has ensured Atwal’s entry into numerous invitational events the next year as he has qualified to be on the PGA tour for the current as well as coming 2 years with his win in Sedgefield Country Club. Arjun Atwal has been an enigmatic golfer who was the first Indian golfer to qualify to be on the PGA tour in the year 2004 and also the 1st to win in the year 2002, an European tour event.

There would be a slight disappointment as he would not be qualified to participate in the PGA tour play-offs for the FedexCup which kicks off next week. He does get an exemption on the Tour for the coming 2 years which is highly optimistic. Atwal was visibly pleased because he made just a single pardonable bogey on Sunday and 2 more over the final rounds on Monday. Atwal put up a steady all-round show by also booking his spot in the top 3 in other areas of driving and putting as well this week.

‘My mind is a little scrambled right now. The only thing I remember about the week is that after the Monday qualifiers,

I told my caddie that we have got nothing to lose. I don’t have a card anymore,’ he reminisces.

Atwal attributes his victory to his relentless reminder that he had nothing to lose.