Singapore, Dec 23: Golfer Arjun Atwal credited his friendship with Tiger Woods and the strong family support for restoring his former glory after he won the Dubai Open last weekend. Victory was especially sweet for the 41-year-old as it has been four years since his historic win at the 2010 Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour that he last tasted success.
Beset by injuries and losing his card on the PGA Tour, Atwal, a former Asian Tour No.1, has been struggling to get back to his best in the last four years, relying on the goodwill of sponsors to tee up at events.
“All the tournaments I played in this year were on sponsors’ invites this year. This (Dubai Open) was my fifth invite in a row actually. I’m thankful to all of them the sponsors that have given me invites. Thank God I don’t have to do that again,” said Atwal over the phone Tuesday.
Atwal also stated that he had harboured thoughts of calling time on the sport which he picked up at the age of 14. It took his strong family support to change the decision which could have been catastrophic.
“It’s been my dad, my wife and my whole family who have been really supportive of me. Especially during those really dark days when I really didn’t think I could play anymore. But they never let me believe in that,” stated Atwal.
“I could come back to India and work with my dad and it would be all right, but it’s been good. They have been really supportive,” added the Indian golfer.
Like his good friend Woods who is also seeking to rediscover his brilliance on the golf course, Atwal is thankful to the close friendship he shares with the former World No.1 who has brought him back to his playing best.
“You know, we’ve become like really, really close. Him (Woods) going through his stuff and me struggling the last couple of years, we’ve been there for each other,” informed Atwal. “It’s almost to the point that he will always be there for me when I need him and vice-versa.”
While plans are still sketchy for the Florida-based Indian in the United States, he knows he will be a regular fixture on the region’s premier Tour come 2015 after earning a priceless two-year winner’s exemption.
“I don’t have any plans yet for 2015 but I want to still play on the PGA Tour. That’s always my goal because I live there now and my kids are going to school there. If my game gets good enough, obviously I’m going to try and give it a go over there. But right now, my focus will be the Asian Tour next year,” said Atwal.