Much of the travelling Arjun Atwal has done lately has finished up in a doctor’s clinic. Now, more than four months of having left Mexico in pain that was later diagnosed as tears in both shoulders, Atwal’s journey to Illinois will finally land him at the TPC Deere Run golf course.

Atwal, who has been out of competitive play since missing the cut at the Mayakoba Classic in late February, will on Thursday tee off at the John Deere Classic, rejoining the PGA Tour, itself back on two healthy feet after the return of its biggest advertisement, Tiger Woods.

“I’m feeling good about getting back,” Atwal told The Indian Express over the phone. “It has been a long time out for me in an important year, but now I want to make the most of the remaining tournaments this season.”

Longer rest

The 36-year-old had wanted to begin the return with a lighter warm-up by playing the Nationwide Tour’s Players Cup in late June. A technicality came in the way of that — PGA Tour players who qualify for the week’s tournament on the higher tour are not allowed to play the Nationwide tournament. Atwal was qualifying on merit for the Travelers Championship in the same week, but had chosen not to play there.

“I wanted to be tournament sharp before returning to the PGA Tour, but was told of the rule once I made inquiries about playing in the Nationwide Cup,” Atwal said. “But it turned out for the best, as it gave me another two weeks’ rest and practice.”

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