‘The feeling hasn’t sunk in yet’

I have got no words to describe the feeling,it hasn’t sunk in yet. Coming through Monday qualifiers,I just wanted to play my natural game and that’s what I did during the whole week. The last putt was huge for me and I was very nervous. the fact that I did not have to putt first made things easier for me,so it’s great. Jeev (Milkha Singh) urged me to win after coming so close,I’m ecstatic.

You had a three-stroke lead coming into the final day. What was your mindset like?

I told my caddie that we’ve got nothing to lose this week. My aim was to just go out there and try and win it. I knew that the other guys were going to be out there trying to secure their FedEx Cup (the year end PGA Play-offs) and Ryder Cup spots or whatever. We had nothing. I didn’t even have a card. I didn’t have anything. My aim was to just go out there and free-wheel it,and that’s what I did this week.

The situation became difficult after you bogeyed the 12th hole. How did you deal with so many players tied in the lead?

Everybody (involved) was tied for the lead at certain point. Even my swing wasn’t working great but I grinded it out and finished somehow. My caddie told me to stay calm and my focus was on the game. The other guys had other motives such as securing points,hence were under more pressure. One of the other advantages was that I had a late start. So I always knew what to do.

You now have a direct entry into the next Augusta. How will you prepare for it?

The feeling is yet to sink in,but I am very happy. I remember watching Jeev play in the Masters this year and it’ll help in my preparations. I’ve been working a lot with my new coach Dale Lynch. He has helped make my swing more consistent. I think that consistency at this level will be the key.