Atwal: Learning
He doesn't give me lessons but any time I have problems, I can ask him and he'll help me out.
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Arjun Atwal revealed that practising with Tiger Woods at his home in Florida has taught him some valuable lessons.
The 35-year-old ended his five-year wait for a European Tour title when he edged out defending champion Peter Hedblom in a play-off at the Malaysian Open.
Atwal made par at the second extra play-off hole after Hedblom had three-putted for a bogey, with both players finishing at 18 under over their four rounds.
According to the Indian player, the practice time with the world number one has played a big part in turning around his game after his long dry spell.
"I belong to the same club as Tiger Woods in Orlando and he's been a big help to me," said Atwal, who has known the American since they played together in the final round of the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic.
Motivation
"We don't hang out socially. We meet at the club and practise together.
"Just practising with him and watching him work the way he does is a motivation enough for me.
"For him to come and help me with my swing and more on the fitness factor has been really big for me.
"He doesn't give me lessons but any time I have problems, I can ask him and he'll help me out."
Atwal was able to give a little insight into the sort of things that Woods works on in practice.
"He's always working around the greens. This winter, he was working on his short game and he actually hooks or fades his chips.
"For us, it's 'get it up and down' but he's working on different types of shots.
Welcome advice
"He was showing me this hook chip. If you get anything from the world number one, you'll take it gladly."
For Atwal, the win in Malaysia brings the curtain down on a dark time in his career.
In addition to losing his card on the US PGA Tour last year, he spent much of 2007 under a cloud after finding himself at the centre of police investigations in Florida following the death of a man in an alleged high-speed street race.
Atwal was recently cleared of all charges by the police and is now looking to put that chapter behind him.
"I don't know how to put it in words. To come out of that and win, it's great for me personally.
"The last two years have been really frustrating. I want to forget that.
"A win is a win and it's been five years and I'm glad that I got it done."
The three-time winner on the European Tour is focused now on regaining his card in America.
"I want to get my PGA Tour card back. We moved to Orlando and my eldest son goes to school there.
"Having won this, I have to reassess but it's too early to talk about that.
"I'm playing on the Nationwide Tour. If I can lock up my card early enough, I can plan my schedule."
