Having just ended a winless streak running five long years, a relieved Arjun Atwal can't help but thank world number one Tiger Woods.
KUALA LUMPUR: Having just ended a winless streak running five long years, a relieved Arjun Atwal can't help but thank world number one Tiger Woods for helping him with his swing.
Nagging injuries, a freak road mishap that almost put him on the dock on vehicular homicide charges and a slump in form -- Atwal's cup of woes was full to the brim. Having banished all his nightmares to lift his third European Tour title, a grateful Atwal acknowledged the help he received from Woods.
"I belong to the same club as Tiger in Orlando and he's been a big help. Just practising with him and watching him work the way he does is motivation enough for me," he said.
"For him to come and help me with my swing and more on the fitness factor has been really big for me," Atwal said.
"He doesn't give me lessons. But anytime I have problems, I can ask him and he'll help me out. If you get anything from the world number one, you'll take it gladly," he added.
Atwal said he was indebted to the Asian Tour as well.
"The Asian Tour has helped me immensely. I went to my first Qualifying School in 1995 and to learn how to make cuts, then to be in contention and finally win, all those I have learnt on the Asian Tour," said Atwal, the 2003 Asian Tour number one.
"Those were the best years of my life. I still say it. I had so much fun and everyone are so close. You still see the guys out here, it's great."
Atwal's sensational win also came as a double delight for Indian golf, after SSP Chowrasia's fairytale Indian Masters triumph in Delhi last month.
In between, Asian Tour regular Mark Brown of New Zealand was triumphant at the Johnnie Walker Classic and Atwal believes Asian Tour's rising stature is now on full display, following three out of a possible four victories against Europe's big guns.
"You see how the Asian Tour has come about. I started here in 1995 and it was tough for the first few years for Asians to win big events but now, it happens every year. It's great," he said.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han also hailed Atwal's victory and said, "It caps a memorable past five weeks for the Asian Tour as three of our members have achieved victories against many of Europe's top players.
"Arjun's triumph cements the fact that the standard of play on the Asian Tour is really strong. The wonderful performances over the past few weeks will serve to strengthen the Asian Tour's growing presence in world golf and it is certainly timely as our 2008 season is poised to offer a record Schedule of 30 tournaments and over USD 40 million in prize money," said Han.
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