Catching Up with Meher Atwal

“I am just beginning out in life and have a long way to go and everyday is a learning experience,” says Meher Atwal, a 20-year-old golfer. She became the ‘youngest-ever Indian Golfer’ to win the Sri Lankan Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in 2007 when she was only 13. Aiming for the LPGA in the next five years, she talks to us about her experience as a young female golfer. Here’s a chat with Poorvi Gupta.

1.       Since your father also played golf, is this why golf was always your first choice?

No, golf was not always my first choice. Sports came very naturally to me and I represented school in swimming, skating and taekwondo. Outside of school I used to horse ride and play golf and took part in numerous competitions. It was in grade 8 that I had to take a calling and chose golf over the other sports.

2.       How was the feeling when at only 12 years of age you had beaten India’s number 1 at that time, Shruti Khanna in Delhi State Championship?

I had just started competitive golf, so winning the Delhi State at 12 and beating India’s No 1, Shruti Khanna will always be special and remain etched in my memory.

3.       You come from a family of many eminent golfers, do you see the pressure mount on you while playing at the international platform to perform better?

I feel proud to come from a family of eminent golfers. My father Karan Atwal has represented India as an amateur golfer on numerous occasions. My Uncle Arjun Atwal is arguably India’s best professional golfer. My younger sister Seher Atwal also plays for India. No, there is no pressure but definitely one wants to give it ones best and play well. It is disappointing when one doesn’t play to one’s potential.

4.       You are one of the few women achievers in golf who saw success at a very young age, has golf come easy to you or did you have to slog hard on the fields? 

Yes, there have been some good performances by me at an early age but I have a long way to go. I do work hard at my game and balancing academics and golf has not been easy. On a lighter note I need to thank my father for the golfing genes , my mother for all the travelling she has done with me for tournaments and of course my coach Nonita Lal Qureshi who I cannot do without .

5.       How was your experience playing and winning at international level at the Sri Lankan Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in 2007?

Winning the Sri Lankan Open at the age of 13 again will always be special as it was the first time I represented India and am probably the youngest winner. It was the first time I travelled and played on my own with the Indian Team so it was good exposure and gave me a lot of confidence for the future.

6.       What keeps you motivated to perform better on the national and international golf circuits?

It’s my passion for the game that keeps me motivated to perform better.

7.       Who is your female idol in golf or whose game do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy Rory’s game the most.

8.       Where do you want to see yourself in the next five years in golf?

I would like to hopefully see myself playing the LPGA in the next five years.

9.       Are there any other sports that you enjoy apart from golf?

I enjoy swimming and badminton