tentacles
03-12-2007, 09:43 AM
He'll probably be sponsored by BMW at the next event.
http://www.pgatour.com/2007/r/03/11/atwal_crash/
PGA TOUR player Arjun Atwal is under investigation after police said what appeared to be a high-speed street race ended in a fatal crash near Orlando , Fla.
Atwal was not injured in the accident Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The other driver, John Noah Park, 48, died at a hospital, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller said Sunday.
No charges have been filed against Atwal, the first player from India on the PGA TOUR. "At a minimum, he is facing a charge of engaging in a street race," Miller said. "We have to see if this crash rises to the level of any other charges."
Robert Kreusler, president and CEO of Blue Giraffe Sports, the player management company that represents Arjun Atwal, has issued the following statement on behalf of Atwal and his family:
"Arjun, his wife Sona, and the remainder of his family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Mr. John N. Park. Even though Arjun and his family did not know Mr. Park, they cannot fathom the unimaginable pain that his family must be going through. Their constant thoughts and prayers are with the Park family at this time.
"Arjun would very much like to address the media about the circumstances of this accident, but obviously cannot do so at this time because of the investigation being conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol. We ask that members of the press and the public do not rush to make a judgment about what occurred here, because once all of the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed, it will be abundantly clear that this was simply a horrible accident and tragedy, with no one at fault."
Ty Votaw, the PGA TOUR's executive vice president for communications and international affairs, said: "Until we learn more, we don't have any comment at this time."
PGA TOUR player Daniel Chopra, who grew up with Atwal in India, said reports his longtime friend was racing sounded exaggerated. He had not spoken to Atwal.
"I think it's even more important that the media be a little careful in jumping to conclusions and not make him out to be a villain," Chopra said. "We'll have to find out what happens."
Miller said troopers will use skid marks and other evidence to reconstruct the crash before filing any charges. The investigation could take up to two months.
"Witnesses tell us they were engaged in a street race," Miller said. "They estimated speeds at or about 100 mph. Park's vehicle hit a tree and basically just shattered. Part of the axle was found in the tree. It was a very violent crash."
The 33-year-old golfer and Park lost control on a curve on a suburban road that is a popular shortcut between the Disney resorts and upscale communities west of Orlando. Atwal's 2006 BMW spun and came to rest on the shoulder. Park's Mercedes slammed into a tree. The cars did not collide, Miller said.
Chopra said his wife talked to Atwal's wife on Sunday.
"Obviously, it was horrible it happened," Chopra said. "I hope people won't think he's somebody who caused the accident. He's a good driver. It was shocking."
Atwal was the first Indian-born player to win on the European Tour when he captured the 2002 Caltex Singapore Masters by five shots. He went to PGA TOUR qualifying school a year later and earned his card.
He nearly won a PGA TOUR event two years ago. He was in Bali on his honeymoon in March 2005 when his parents warned him of impending storms, so he and his wife headed for their Florida home. Because the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta began late that week, he got into the tournament and wound up in a five-man playoff. Atwal was eliminated on the first extra hole of the tournament, won by Phil Mickelson.
He struggled last year and finished 140th on the PGA TOUR money list, failing to keep full-exempt status on TOUR. Atwal has played only three times this year, finishing in a tie for 36th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and missing the cut the last two weeks in Mexico and at The Honda Classic.
Atwal was not eligible to play again until the Shell Houston Open at the end of the month.
http://www.pgatour.com/2007/r/03/11/atwal_crash/
PGA TOUR player Arjun Atwal is under investigation after police said what appeared to be a high-speed street race ended in a fatal crash near Orlando , Fla.
Atwal was not injured in the accident Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The other driver, John Noah Park, 48, died at a hospital, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kim Miller said Sunday.
No charges have been filed against Atwal, the first player from India on the PGA TOUR. "At a minimum, he is facing a charge of engaging in a street race," Miller said. "We have to see if this crash rises to the level of any other charges."
Robert Kreusler, president and CEO of Blue Giraffe Sports, the player management company that represents Arjun Atwal, has issued the following statement on behalf of Atwal and his family:
"Arjun, his wife Sona, and the remainder of his family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Mr. John N. Park. Even though Arjun and his family did not know Mr. Park, they cannot fathom the unimaginable pain that his family must be going through. Their constant thoughts and prayers are with the Park family at this time.
"Arjun would very much like to address the media about the circumstances of this accident, but obviously cannot do so at this time because of the investigation being conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol. We ask that members of the press and the public do not rush to make a judgment about what occurred here, because once all of the facts have been gathered and the investigation completed, it will be abundantly clear that this was simply a horrible accident and tragedy, with no one at fault."
Ty Votaw, the PGA TOUR's executive vice president for communications and international affairs, said: "Until we learn more, we don't have any comment at this time."
PGA TOUR player Daniel Chopra, who grew up with Atwal in India, said reports his longtime friend was racing sounded exaggerated. He had not spoken to Atwal.
"I think it's even more important that the media be a little careful in jumping to conclusions and not make him out to be a villain," Chopra said. "We'll have to find out what happens."
Miller said troopers will use skid marks and other evidence to reconstruct the crash before filing any charges. The investigation could take up to two months.
"Witnesses tell us they were engaged in a street race," Miller said. "They estimated speeds at or about 100 mph. Park's vehicle hit a tree and basically just shattered. Part of the axle was found in the tree. It was a very violent crash."
The 33-year-old golfer and Park lost control on a curve on a suburban road that is a popular shortcut between the Disney resorts and upscale communities west of Orlando. Atwal's 2006 BMW spun and came to rest on the shoulder. Park's Mercedes slammed into a tree. The cars did not collide, Miller said.
Chopra said his wife talked to Atwal's wife on Sunday.
"Obviously, it was horrible it happened," Chopra said. "I hope people won't think he's somebody who caused the accident. He's a good driver. It was shocking."
Atwal was the first Indian-born player to win on the European Tour when he captured the 2002 Caltex Singapore Masters by five shots. He went to PGA TOUR qualifying school a year later and earned his card.
He nearly won a PGA TOUR event two years ago. He was in Bali on his honeymoon in March 2005 when his parents warned him of impending storms, so he and his wife headed for their Florida home. Because the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta began late that week, he got into the tournament and wound up in a five-man playoff. Atwal was eliminated on the first extra hole of the tournament, won by Phil Mickelson.
He struggled last year and finished 140th on the PGA TOUR money list, failing to keep full-exempt status on TOUR. Atwal has played only three times this year, finishing in a tie for 36th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and missing the cut the last two weeks in Mexico and at The Honda Classic.
Atwal was not eligible to play again until the Shell Houston Open at the end of the month.