Calcutta: Exactly four weeks after Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia’s monumental win in the Indian Masters, another Royal tiger — Arjun Atwal — made a big killing and regained the Malaysian Open title.

A short while later, Atwal (the only Indian to have got a PGA Tour Card) spoke to The Telegraph, first from his cellphone and then his room at the One World Hotel. He was, quite clearly, over the moon.

The following are excerpts

Emotions on winning his first title after 2003 (when he won the Malaysian Open and the Hero Honda Masters)

There’s relief, obviously, but other than that I can’t describe things... I can’t really put it in words... Right now, I’m not thinking too much. Don’t want to, really.

Thoughts going into the last round, placed tied 11th with three others

Look, I was seven shots off the leader and, so, wasn’t thinking of anything much... Of course, as the day progressed, I began doing well and thought a round of 64 could do the trick... It actually worked out that way, but I must confess to having been nervous in the play-off (against holder Peter Hedblom of Sweden)... My nerves were put to test and I’m glad I came out on top.

Significance of Sunday’s win

Means everything... It’s a step towards trying to get back the PGA Tour Card... I don’t know when that will happen, but I hope it’s going to be soon.

Dedicating the title

Hmmm... To my sons Krishen (who is three-and-a-half) and Shiva (three months old), who is fresh out of the oven! This is my first win after their birth, so it’s got to be for them.

Next tournament

(Laughs) Don’t know! I first want this achievement to sink in... After all, the last trophy was five years ago... What I do know is that I’m coming to New Delhi for a day tomorrow, to pick up my wife (Sona) and kids. I’ll then head back to Florida.

On the five-year drought

Difficult to say why I wasn’t winning... Golf is such a sport where you could be playing well and still not getting the trophies... But, yes, I worked hard in the off-season (last November to January) and that paid off... Did a lot of physical training… Plus, for the past fortnight or so, my mind has been a lot freer after being cleared of the charge (of vehicular homicide)...

Last March’s high-speed crash, which proved fatal for the other driver, in Florida

The proceedings did affect me... It was a time when my mental toughness got tested... I wanted to quit the sport each time that I played badly, but I’m thankful to my wife for encouraging me to fight on... It’s more her belief in my abilities which made me continue. She’d say that I was just being tested for everything.

Mental toughness

Plays a huge role... Today, I’m a lot tougher than I was a couple of years back... It’s this mental toughness which helped in the play-off.

Becoming the second golfer (after Chowrasia) with roots in Calcutta to win a European Tour event in a matter of weeks

(Laughs again) Great for Calcutta, isn’t it? SSP, in fact, is right next to me in my room... We’ll probably go down to the bar after I’ve finished talking to you.

[Chowrasia, who came on the phone, said: “Bahut hi khushi ki baat hai... Arjun played very well and Indian golf is definitely on the rise... Golf pe ab jyada dhyan rahega”]

Significance of Indian winners on the circuit

Definitely good... It will, hopefully, lead to less of cricket and cricket everywhere... Sponsorship is there in golf, but it’s a slow process... It’s encouraging when, for example, a Johnnie Walker event is held in India… I’d like things to move faster, though.

On the bonding between Indian golfers

Very good... For a long time, I was on a different Tour, but I’d follow the Indians’ progress either on the net or on the TV... We’re happy for each other... We cheer for each other...

Finally, the Indian colts having won the U-19 cricket World Cup there exactly a week ago

Yes, I’d read about it... It has certainly been a good time for Indian sportsmen in Malaysia... Don’t forget, in recent years at least, I started it all by winning the Open in 2003.

Footnote: While Atwal’s parents, Bindi and Rupi, planned to host the “whole of Delhi Golf Club” in the capital, the Royal here was raising a toast too. “Another feather in our cap,” remarked former Royal captain Ashit Luthra.