( CNN ) -- Arjun Atwal 's narrow victory at the Wyndham Championship secured a slice of golfing history as he became the first Indian-born player to win on the PGA tour . The 37-year-old from Calcutta sank an eight foot par putt on the final hole to win by a shot from American David Toms , and become the first qualifier to triumph on the Tour in 24 years . Atwal lost his Tour card in July but shot a final round 67 at Sedgefield Country Club to finish on 20-under-par and scoop the top prize of $ 918,000 . `` I told my caddie , 'We 've got nothing to lose this week . Just go out there and try and win it ' , '' Atwal told the official PGA Tour website . `` Guys are going to be out there trying to secure their FedExCup spots or whatever . We 've got nothing . I do n't have a card . I do n't have anything . Just go out there and free-wheel it , and that 's what I did this week . `` I 'm pretty sure it 's going to be huge back home , '' Atwal added . `` My in-laws called my wife Saturday and said the coverage was just unreal with me leading . I know there were a lot of people in India and Dubai that watched me play . I 've had a lot of messages . '' Atwal started the final round three shots clear of the chasing pack but his lead was gradually whittled away until he was briefly locked in a seven-way tie . But a vital birdie at the 16th saw him regain control . He then recorded par on the final hole by firing his second shot towards the spectators ' tent at the back of the green , taking a free drop and getting up and down in two for the win . His victory gives him a two year Tour exemption and a place at the 2011 Masters at Augusta . `` That was huge , '' Atwal said after his landmark victory . `` I was really nervous over that [ last ] putt . My heart rate was probably 150 . '' Atwal used to be a practice partner for world number one Tiger Woods but lost his Tour card last month after slipping too far down the money list when his minor medical exemption ran out . Three years ago Atwal was questioned over an incident in which the driver of a car who was allegedly trying to race him down an Orlando street crashed and died . He was cleared of any wrongdoing after a year-long investigation . Atwal has won on the European , Asian and Nationwide tours , but his first PGA victory was warmly greeted back in his home country . `` I am delighted that Atwal has this great victory on the PGA Tour , '' Sports Minister Manohar Singh Gill said in a statement carried by AFP . `` It is truly a remarkable achievement and puts Indian golfers on an even higher level internationally . ''
Arjun Atwal becomes first Indian-born player to win on the PGA Tour . Atwal claimed the Wyndham Championship by one stroke from David Toms . Indian lost his Tour card last month after slipping down the money list . The 37-year-old is the first qualifier to win on the Tour for 24 years .