24 August,2010 08:45 AM IST | | V Krishnaswamy
Indian golfer Arjun Atwal tellsu00a0MiD-DAY what his PGA title has primarily done for himu00a0
A little over 14 hours after his amazing start-to-finish win at the Wyndham Championships on Sunday night, Arjun Atwal was still sounding somewhat bewildered at how life had suddenly changed for him. The win, that catapulted him 268 positions from 450 in the world rankings to inside the Top 200 at 182nd, also got him a Tour card till the end of 2012 besides earning him a ticket to the Masters, the only Major he has never teed up at.
After a hectic evening with the media amidst replying to countless congratulatory messages, the phone battery was sinking and energy levels dropping as he hit the sack. As he woke up the next day, the feeling was just about sinking in. After 120 starts he was finally a winner at a PGA Tour event. Yet, he was ready to answer more questions over the phone from Greensboro.
LOOK HOW FAR I'VE COME: Arjun Atwal reacts on the 18th hole after winning the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina yesterday. PIC/AFP
Congratulations Arjun, still tired or ready to answer a few questions?
(Laughing) That goes with the job doesn't it? Better to answer after a win, than after missing a cut.
So, how is the Morning After?
I don't think it's sunk in fully yet. It was a dream all these years. I had my doubts teeing it up even with the lead, with a 3-shot lead or whatever it was ufffd. I'm just so glad that putt went in. I was really nervous over that putt. It was the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life. A week earlier I didn't know what I was going to do next year ufffd I had to qualify and see if I could make the field ufffd I thought maybe I would play Asia or maybe a bit in Europe and maybe Nationwide. Then suddenly this happens and I have a job for 2011 and 2012. Feels great!
(After a moment's pause) When I woke up this morning and switched on the phone, it was almost full. Some 50-odd voice messages and more than 80-text messages. I wonder if I will be able to answer all of them in a hurry. Still, it's all worth it.
Did you speak to Tiger Woods?
No, text... it's all texts. We never talk. We talk a lot when we meet, otherwise it's texts.
Why not talk?
I guess, we have just had it that way. And he's just busy, I guess.
Going back to your status on the US Tour, after the Canadian Open the Tour card was gone. But you did have a status in Europe till the end of this season. When you weigh that against playing Monday qualifiers, does it not seem more risky?
Sure, it is risky. But I don't like the cold in Europe. I like Asia or USA. I made up my mind that I'd play Monday qualifiers each week till the end of the season and see how it went. I wrote to all tournaments for exemptions. I managed one in Greenbrier and just made the cut. Then at Turning Stone my caddie and I drove for nine hours and reached the morning of the qualifiers. I shot 68 and went into a play-off and lost. This week I turned up at Forest Oaks for the Monday qualifiers to Wyndham. I shot 67 and got in. First day 61 put me in the right spirit and I just grinded it out after that. What a relief!
There are lots of people out there in USA, who have little idea of golf in India. Then you come along. What's been the reaction?
It's been a fantastic reaction. Suddenly everyone wants to know if we have enough courses back home and what kind of events are there in India and Asia. They want to know what kind of media attention this will get. Some of the writers do know that cricket is big in India, but are not sure about golf. I had to tell them a lot and tell them that it's growing well and our boys are doing very well in the Asian Tour and we have also won on the European Tour.
Did you make any contact back home during the week?
I'm pretty sure it's going to be huge back home. I know my in-laws called my wife yesterday and said the coverage was just unreal with me leading. What happened (Saturday) night was thatu00a0 they were watching it live and all of a sudden it went off over there in India. What they did, they Skyped on the computer and she (Arjun's wife) put it on the TV here and then they could watch it. I don't know if they got to see it or not. I know there was a lot of people in India and Dubai watching me play.
What next?
I don't get in the FedExCup? I don't know. I have no plans right now. I'm definitely taking next week off. I might go to Thailand. My whole family and in-laws are going to celebrate. So I might just do that. Then let's see... maybe an event or two in Europe. My caddie is very keen on going , though I'm not. Then after four weeks or so, there's the Fall Series ufffd I don't need to play Monday qualifiers any more ufffd that's the great news. And I can be carefree for two seasons and build on my world ranking and have a shot at the Majors.
V Krishnaswamy is a Delhi-based golf writer, who has seen Arjun Atwal grow from a budding star on the Asian Tour to a PGA Tour winner
