Atwal confirms participation in Indian Open

New Delhi : Struggling to rope in stars this year, the Indian Open golf tournament got a massive boost with former champion Arjun Atwal confirming his participation in the $1.25 million Asian Tour event next month.

Atwal has been given a sponsor's spot to compete in the tournament to be staged at the DLF Golf and Country Club from October 8 to 11.

Atwal is the second US PGA Tour regular after Daniel Chopra to confirm participation for the event. Atwal last won on the Asian Tour in 2008 when he annexed the Maybank Malaysian Open. Before that the Indian ace registered his second Hero Honda Masters win in 2003.

Atwal also won the Hero Honda Masters in 2000 at the DLF Golf and Country Club and the Indian Open in 1999. "I am really looking forward to competing in the Indian Open 2009," said the 36-year-old.

"It has been years since I played competitive golf in India. I have had a fair bit of success in Asian Tour events in India with three wins in only a handful of appearances. I hope to add to that tally," added the golfer, who last competed at the Indian Open in 2005.

The Indian Open will not have the likes of Jeev Milkha Singh and Shiv Kapur this year as they would be competing in US and Europe respectively.