M A I N   N E W S

Lord of the Greens
Atwal first Indian to win on PGA Tour

Greensboro (USA), August 23
Arjun Atwal scripted history by becoming the first Indian golfer to clinch a US PGA Tour title as he lifted the Wyndham Championship trophy here, capping a remarkable turnaround of fortunes.

Atwal, who had a three-shot lead going into the final round, returned a steady three-under 67 to clinch the title by a stroke with a total of 20-under 260. The Indian took home $918,000 for his effort yesterday.

But more importantly, the victory at Sedgefield Country Club earned him his status on the PGA Tour for the remainder of this year and the next two years as well after he lost his playing card a few weeks ago.

Atwal’s compatriot Jeev Milkha Singh also signed off on a positive note, carding a four-under 66 for a share of the 18th spot with a total of 14-under 266. The Chandigarh golfer’s card was studded with six birdies against a lone double bogey.

American David Toms fired a six-under 64 to take the second spot at 19-under on the leaderboard. The Orlando-based Atwal became the first Monday-qualifier to win on the PGA Tour in 24 years. Fred Wadsworth was the last to achieve such a feat at the 1986 Southern Open.

“I don’t know if it has sunk in yet, seriously. It was a long-time dream but until it happens you just keep doubting yourself. I had my doubts despite a three-shot lead.

I am so glad, I was very nervous, the most nervous I have been in all my life,” the 37-year-old pro, who has titles on the Asian, European and the Nationwide Tour under his belt, said after the nervy final round.

“My swing was not feeling great but I just grinded it out and got it done somehow,” a cheerful Atwal said.

In a steady performance, Atwal picked up strokes on the third and fourth holes to be two-under at the turn.

On his way back, he added another two birdies on the 14th and 16th but a bogey on the 12th prevented him from going 21-under, something that his friend and practice partner Tiger Woods had asked him to aim for the night before the final round in a text message.

“My goal was to get it to 21-under today. I came up one short. Actually that’s the number my friend Tiger Woods also told me to get to last night,” he said.

“It’s all text, we never talk. He’s busy I guess,” Atwal quipped.

He said he was a bundle of nerves all through the day and credited his caddie for keeping him calm.

“The leaderboard just kept changing. Everybody was tied for the lead at certain point. I knew the guys were going to shoot low today. My heart rate was over 150 at the last hole but my caddie told me to relax. I just calmed myself down,” he added. — PTI