Atwal becomes first Indian to win on PGA Tour

Greensboro, August 23, 2010: Arjun Atwal became the first Indian-born player to win on the USPGA Tour by shooting a final round three-under par 67 to capture the Wyndham Championship on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Atwal finished at 20-under-par 260 to beat American David Toms (64) by one stroke.

"It feels great. I have no words. I grinded it today," Atwal said.

Atwal also became the first Monday qualifier to win the ensuing tournament in 24 years, following Fred Wadsworth at the 1986 Southern Open.

Atwal has enjoyed victories on the European, Asian and Nationwide tours but not until now on the PGA Tour.

He entered Sunday's round with a three-shot lead and needed a par on the closing hole to seal the deal.

Atwal wasn't taking any chances on No. 18. He blasted his approach into the spectators' tent, choosing to take a drop in the rough rather than try to place his ball on the green.

He chipped it onto the green then one-putted for the win.

"I was so nervous over that putt," Atwal said. "I am just glad it went in."

Atwal, who earned 918,000 dollars for the victory, led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds.

"I told my caddie, 'We've got nothing to lose this week. Just go out there and try and win it,"' Atwal said. "Guys are going to be out there trying to secure their FedEx Cup spots or whatever. We've got nothing."

"I don't have a card. I don't have anything. Just go out there and free-wheel it, and that's what I did this week."

Toms was on 19-under 201 while John Mallinger and Michael Sim both shot 62s and were joined by John Rollins (65) and Justin Leonard (65) at 202.

Three years ago, Atwal was involved in a fatal car crash in Orlando that killed a Florida man. Witnesses told police that Atwal, who was driving a BMW sedan, and the other driver were street racing -- a charge that Atwal denies.

Atwal lost his tour card in July because he was unable to win enough money to retain his medical exemption beyond eight events this season, forcing him into Monday qualifying sessions. Atwal missed much of last year with injuries.

Atwal said his goal this week was to get one step closer to regaining his PGA Tour card for next season. The victory gave him a two-year berth on the PGA Tour.

THAI STARS PROSPER IN WEALTH AND WINNINGS ON ASIAN TOUR

Kuala Lumpur, August 23, 2010: Thailand’s top golfing stars continue to feature prominently on the Asian Tour’s career money list with eight players from the Kingdom featuring in the top-25.

Reigning Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee leads the career earnings category with slightly over US$4 million accumulated over a span of a decade competing in the region’s elite circuit.

With 12 victories under his belt, the most by a player on the Asian Tour, the former paratrooper is well ahead of India’s Jeev Milkha Singh who ranks second with US$2.8 million in career earnings.

Other Thai stand-outs featuring on the career earnings list include Thaworn Wiratchant, who is ranked fourth with US$2.5 million, and Prayad Marksaeng, who is placed sixth with US$2.3 million.

Chapchai Nirat (14th, US$1.36 million), Thammanoon Srirot (15th, US$1.31 million), Chawalit Plaphol (16th, US$1.23 million), Prom Meesawat (22nd, US$1.1 million) and veteran Boonchu Ruangkit (23rd, 1.1 million) are all featured in the top-25, making Thailand the country with the most players in the elite bracket.

In total, the eight Thai players have an accumulated wealth of over US$15 million, thanks largely to a staggering 45 career victories between them in Asia.

“The Asian Tour has given us a lot of tournaments and supported Asian professional golfers. There are a lot of players coming up now and there is support for them through the Asian Tour.

“We have a chance to become big players. Everyone dreams about the PGA Tour but it’s not easy (to get there). When I started playing in 1999, the prize money was small but it’s so big here now,” said Thongchai, the first man to win three Order of Merit crowns.

Since the inauguration of the Asian Tour as a members’ organisation in 2004, a total of 22 tournaments have been played with great success in Thailand and offering a combined purse of US$29 million in prize money.

This year, three Asian Tour tournaments will be played in the Kingdom, namely the Asian Tour International, Queen’s Cup and King’s Cup. In addition, the Sports Authority of Thailand has a long-term agreement in place with the Asian Tour to stage the Qualifying School in Thailand until 2014 while Singha Corporation also became a Tour Partner this year.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The Asian Tour will continue to create playing opportunities with increase in prize money for our members. With a solid commercial and playing structure firmly in place, we believe the Asian Tour will continue to grow and strengthen Asian golf at the highest level.

“I am also pleased that we have added six new Tour partners this year and three new tournaments which we believe further spur the development of players in Asia.”

HAN HAILS ATWAL’S WIN

Singapore, August 23, 2010: Asian Tour’s Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han believes that India’s Arjun Atwal will inspire more ground-breaking performances from India and across Asia following his win at the Wyndham Championship on Sunday.

Atwal became the first Indian to win on the US PGA Tour and highlighted the growing strength of the professional game in India which has risen tremendously in recent years due to the Asian Tour.

“The Asian Tour played an instrumental role in shaping Atwal’s career during his playing days here. Even though he’s now based in Florida, his success will serve as an inspiration to many,” said Han.

India holds the proud record of having produced the most number of Asian Tour Order of Merit champions, through Atwal in 2003, Jeev Milkha Singh in 2006 and 2008 and Jyoti Randhawa, the country’s first Asian number one in 2002.

Gaurav Ghei, Feroz Ali, Shiv Kapur, S.S.P. Chowrasia, C. Muniyappa and Gaganjeet Bhullar have also all added their names onto the Asian Tour’s Roll of Honour with their respective victories.

Han believes that their long-standing relationship with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Indian Golf Union will continue to ensure that Indian golf remains on the forefront of the game.

“We have a close association with the PGTI and will continue to seek initiatives to grow the game in India and on the Asian Tour,” said Han.

Atwal, who has won seven times on the Asian Tour also credits the region’s established circuit for helping to shape his growing years as a professional.

“My first Q-school was in 1995 and just to learn how to make cuts and be in contention and finally win, all those I learnt on the Asian Tour,” said Atwal. “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.”