Singapore: Indian golfer Arjun Atwal credited his friendship with Tiger Woods and the strong family support for restoring his former glory after he won the Dubai Open on Sunday.
Victory at the inaugural $500,000 Asian Tour event was especially sweet for the 41-year-old as it has been four years since his historic win at the 2010 Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour.
Beset by injuries and losing his card on the PGA Tour, Atwal, a former Asian Tour number one, has been struggling to get back to his best from last four years, relying on the goodwill of sponsors to tee up at events.
"All the tournaments I played in this year were on sponsor's invites. This (Dubai Open) was my fifth invite in a row actually. I'm thankful to all the sponsors that have given me invites.
"Thank God I don't have to do that again. I never thought that I would be asking for invites on the Asian Tour," said Atwal, who had also harboured thoughts of calling time on the sport which he picked up at the age of 14.
It took his strong family support to see some of Atwal's old magic return at the majestic Els Club Dubai last week.
"It's been my dad, my wife and my whole family who has been really supportive of me. Especially during those really dark days when I really didn't think I could play anymore. But they never let me believe that I wouldn't be playing anymore.
"I could come back to India and work with my dad and it would be all right, but it's been good. They have been really supportive," said Atwal.
Like his good friend Woods, who is also seeking to rediscover his brilliance on the golf course, Atwal is thankful that the close friendship he shares with the former world number one has brought him back to his playing best.
"You know, we've become like really, really close. Him going through his stuff and me struggling the last couple of years, we've been there for each other.
"It's almost to the point where we're like there're very few friends in the world that will be there for you when you need them the most, and he's one of them. And I'm there for him, as well," added Atwal.
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