Arjun Atwal to feature in 3M Open and two others

After months of inactivity in golf, Indian golfer Arjun Atwal will feel the action this week at the USD 6.6 million 3M Open.

The tournament is part of the PGA Tour calendar as the governing body continues the ‘Return to Golf’ after resuming from coronavirus-enforced break.

46-year-old Atwal was involved in the Rocket Mortgage Classic two weeks ago, where he was ousted in the last round, tied 45th.

Atwal who is the only Indian to have won on the PGA Tour, with his success in 2010, will be making his tenth start in the 2019-20 season. During the season under review, he has made only three cuts, with a tied 41st at Bermuda being his best.

His fellow Indian Anirban Lahiri has playing rights. But he has been restricted from playing in some events that had occurred in the last few weeks because of COVID-19-forced flight restrictions in India.

Speaking on the development, Lahiri, who is training at Kalhaar Blues and Greens in Ahmedabad, said he is waiting for the flight resumption, while he continues to tune his game with his coach Vijay Divecha.

Atwal qualified for last year’s edition of the 3M Open via the Monday Qualifiers at Victory Links Golf Course. He became part of the main tournament after recording a sensational nine-under 62.

During the main tournament,  Atwal shot 65 to be tied 4th after the first round. He carded 68 on second to be tied 7th. After 54 holes, he added another 68 to be tied 9th.

Unfortunately, he slipped to a tied 23 after recording a 70 on the final day with Matt Wolff getting a breakthrough win.

For this year, there is no qualification in 3M. So, Atwal will be featured in it because he falls into a category meant for past champions and veteran members, who have made 150 and more cuts in their careers.

Atwal is expected to participate in the Barracuda Championship scheduled for a week after the 3M opposite the WGC-St Jude in Tennessee.

He is also expected to see if he can win the Wyndham Championship again after recording success at the event exactly ten years ago.

To, Atwal, playing two weeks in a row will be great. He added that winning the tournament would be cool after such a long time.

Atwal, who said he is playing fine at the moment, said he is as fit as he was 15 years ago and raring to go.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed