24 August,2010 08:32 AM IST | | Khalid A-H Ansari
Golfer Arjun Atwal, who created history yesterday when becoming the first Indian to win on the US PGA tour in the Wyndham Championship, has given credit to his Australian coach Dale Lynch.
Atwal, winner on the European, Asian and Nationwide tours, started working with the respected Australian coach about a year ago.
"He (Lynch) has got me not to use my legs as much and use my upper body a lot more and drive through with my right side, staying level through the ball," said Atwal, who started playing golf at the age of 14 in Kolkata but has come a long way since. He now lives in the same exclusive Florida community as Tiger Woods (who announced his divorce yesterday) and whom he counts as a friend.
Woods sent Atwal a text message before the final round at the Wyndham Championship, suggesting he shoot for a score of 21 under. The Indian held his nerve for a one-shot victory.
An ecstatic Atwal, 37, said after his win: "I'm pretty sure it's going to be huge back home. My in-laws called my wife yesterday and said the coverage was just unreal with me leading. I know there were a lot of people in India and Dubai that watched me play. I've had a lot of messages".
