Indian golfer Arjun Atwal is fitter and rejuvenated after testing negative for COVID-19 via an on-arrival test ahead of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour, which begins this week.
The test result is a big relief for the Indian as he expressed his excitement in getting ready for his first tournament after the coronavirus-enforced holiday.
Atwal, who flew into the venue on a commercial flight, joked that he was glad it was not a Math test. Explaining the procedure, the golfer said on arrival, golfers have been instructed not to go to the course or range after being tested on arrival, which made him wait for hours.
While expressing his relief all the safety precautions, Atwal, who will be competing in the first two rounds with Matt Jones and Michael Thompson, said he had worked hard on losing 15 pounds. He had teed off in the first round at 1.20 pm local time.
Atwal, who stated that he is raring to go, revealed that he trained a bit with his son, who plays basketball, and said he now has a new regimen, a new diet schedule that allows him to take fewer calories.
Atwal is the only Indian golfer, who has recorded success on the PGA Tour after winning the Wyndham Championship in 2010.
Speaking on the success recorded a decade ago, the 47-year-old believes that he is capable of competing at this level after emerging runner up at the 2017 Mauritius Open after losing a playoff.
While also referring to a top golfer, Phil Mickelson, who is now 50, Atwal said he missed the adrenaline.
Atwal was given an exemption to compete in the tournament through a sponsor’s exemption.
On getting the news, he said he began practicing as he is excited to play again in his fourth PGA Tour event in 2020 after playing in five in the Fall of 2019. He last featured in The Honda Classic, which he gained entry into through the Monday qualifiers. Atwal revealed that he was able to practice because the golf club near his home didn’t close. It is hoped that he would get better this time around for the Indian and record success.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
