Tiger’s been inspirational: Arjun Atwal

So, has the feeling sunk in?
It is, slowly. I haven’t slept much as I was travelling back home after the final round.

You entered the tournament as a qualifier. What were your expectations?
I just told my caddie, ‘We’ve got nothing to lose this week. Just go out there and try and win it.
Four weeks back you lost your PGA card and now you come back with a bang…

Well, it’s unbelievable. A month ago I was jobless and now I am looking forward to playing in my first Masters next year. As far as the PGA card is concerned I was always confident that I would get it back sooner or later. But I am really happy that I did it in this fashion.

What was your target before coming down to Greensboro?
Frankly speaking, when I got past the Monday qualifying, I had this gut feeling that I could win this tournament. In fact I even told my caddie before the start of the tournament that I think I may go on to win the tournament.

Last two-three years have been difficult for you. You were investigated for a car crash. What kept you going?
It has been tough but my wife has given me support and inspiration. I don’t know how things would have been without her support. But in the end, it’s all about getting strong through adversities.

So how did she react when you were back home?
By the time I reached home it was too late. Kids had gone off to sleep but she was waiting for me. As I entered home she congratulated me and she was thrilled. But as it was too late, she told me to go off to sleep and decided to talk about it in the morning.

Tiger Woods too, it seems, has extended support to you.
I should really thank him. When he came to know that I was leading, he used to text me everyday to say what numbers to shoot the next day. I could plan my game accordingly. Tiger was really inspirational.

In fact, after I got over with the media on Sunday, he called me and congratulated me. He said ‘Well done and I am really happy for you.’ He has been a close friend and has been supportive during tough times. That’s when you know he is a true friend. I don’t care whether he is Tiger Woods or whoever. He is just a very good friend. Professionally, I can’t think of anyone else to whom I can ask for help. He is truly inspirational.

Were you really nervous before the last hole?
I was quite nervous. I calmed myself down when I went for the par shot. I knew that this shot would give me the title so I really concentrated hard. I somehow knew that it was going to be my day.

How difficult is it for an Indian golfer to sustain himself on the US Tour?
It’s not difficult. Well I got injured and I had bad breaks but I have had two or three good seasons before that. There is no reason why people should struggle here. As they say you reap what you sow. And it is important that you remain extremely patient as well.

Does your win help Indian golf in anyway?
I hope it helps. Hopefully, the kids will be inspired with these kinds of performances. But how this helps Indian golf, only time will tell…

Now that you have managed to break the barrier, how do you plan to go about in the next couple of years?
The first win is the hardest. Even on the  European Tour, after my first victory, the second came within a year. In the United States, I had lost a play-off to Phil Mickelson in 2005 BellSouth Classic and then it took me five years to win my first tournament. Now that I have crossed the hurdle, I hope to win some more on the tour.

You will also be playing at Masters for the first time?
I am really looking forward to it. It is the only major tournament that I have never played. So it will be great to tee off at the Augusta.

How do you plan to celebrate?
We’re planning a family holiday. It’s also my father-in- law’s 60th birthday and I had promised him that we will go somewhere if things are back on track. Now that I have won on the PGA tour, I think it would be time for double celebration.