mar10 Atwal wins Malaysia

By Associated Press for Golf World

Arjun Atwal revealed that practising with Tiger Woods at his home in Florida played a big part in his play-off victory at the Maybank Malaysian Open on Sunday.

The 35-year-old from Calcutta ended a five-year winless drought by outlasting defending champion Peter Hedblom of Sweden with a par at the second extra hole at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

“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.

“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 anytime 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. He was showing me this hook chip. If you get anything from the world number one, you’ll take it gladly.”

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