Facility is the first of its kind raised by a Shariah-compliant financial institution
He became the first Indian to win on the US PGA Tour, realising a long-time dream of his as well as that of millions from his populous country. A resident of Florida now, Atwal won the Wyndham Championship by a single stroke, when his final round of 67 was sufficient to leave him on 20-under 260.
In fact, Atwal’s friend, the legendary Tiger Woods, had sent him a text message indicating that he should he try to finish on 21-under. Atwal did not reach that target but it was sufficient for him to become only the sixth Asian-born player to win on this prestigious tour.
The 37-year-old Atwal took to the game at the age of 14, playing at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. Born into a Sikh family of Asansol, near Kolkata, Atwal turned professional in 1995, quickly becoming one of the leading players on the Asian Tour. He topped the order of merit in 2003 and became the first man to win a million US dollars on the tour by winning the Hero Honda Masters on home soil in the same year.
In 2005, Atwal came close to winning on the PGA Tour numerous times, most notably at the BellSouth Classic in April. His dream run suffered a setback when he was involved in a crash, reportedly with street racing on SR 535 in Windermere, Florida, on March 10, 2007. A driver, John Noah Park, 48, was killed in the incident, though Atwal was not injured. After a year of investigation, the case was closed with no charges filed. Then, to make matters worse, after the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, Atwal lost his PGA Tour card after his medical exemption, received due to a shoulder injury, ran out and he had failed to earn enough money. But this win sees Atwal regaining his playing privileges on the PGA Tour through 2012.
Atwal, only got into the Wyndham Championship via a qualifier for four spots. He became the first Monday qualifier to win on tour since 1986 and his rewards, apart from the two-year exemption, includes $918,000, and the invitation to next year’s Masters, a tournament he has never played.
“That will be awesome,” he said. “I was supposed to get in when I won the money list in Asia in 2003, because the No. 1 gets in from there, but they somehow gave it to the No. 2 guy, who was from China.”
But his time Atwal has ensured that there is no ambiguity about his participation.
Facility is the first of its kind raised by a Shariah-compliant financial institution
In the Middle East, e-commerce is estimated to reach $50 billion by 2025
Dubai expats Helina and Heleriin Hein and Christopher Gammelgaard have come up with a card game that helps you navigate real conversations
Move will consolidate Abu Dhabi's role as a key player in the green hydrogen sector
The Delhi Capitals captain delivered some eye catching glovework taking two catches and effecting a stunning stumping against Gujarat Titans on Wednesday
In 10 years, the sector with 928,000 positions is projected to employ one in 9 residents
Adnoc will pay up to $1.195 billion, along with up to $4.18 million in applicable interest
Italian coach praises his team who 'gave their all' to secure victory in a pulsating Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday