He secured his full card for next year after winning almost $1 million in prizemoney to be 79th on the money list, despite a conditional card assuring him only a limited number of starts.
Such was his consistency, Atwal missed the cut only at the PGA championship from 17 starts.
"It has been good. I played solid all year, more consistent than I have done in any other year," he told Reuters. "I wish I had won a tournament but I think that will happen next year."
"It was disappointing because in three of those (tournaments) I had a good chance. It is an experience which you learn by and go ahead and try again next year."
Atwal's rise has boosted Indian golf leading to a spurt in sponsorship and more youngsters taking up the game.
Atwal, compatriot Jyoti Randhawa, the 2002 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Thailand's current Asian Tour leader Thaworn Wiratchant are playing in the $300,000 Indian Open which started in the Indian capital on Thursday.
EMULATING WOODS: Atwal said he planned to emulate Woods by undertaking heavy off-season work.
"It's just a matter of working hard at home and not killing yourself in a tournament," he said. "You don't want to tire yourself when you are playing."
Atwal turned professional in 1995 but had to wait four years for his first title, at the Indian Open Asian Tour event on his home course in Calcutta. He has not looked back.
Atwal won the Indian Masters title in 2000 before going on to claim the 2002 Singapore Masters and the Malaysian Open the next year, both co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
His short game has been sensational on the USPGA, and he lies second in putting average and fourth in birdie average.
Atwal said travelling with his wife and son had calmed him. "There have been no real pressures on me to do anything."
EUROPEAN ROUTE: Randhawa, 33, praised Atwal for setting a high standard.
"I want to follow Arjun's route," he said. "He is also aiming to win there (US) and that is what I want to do eventually."
The 2004 Volvo Masters champion failed to qualify in 2001 and 2004, but hopes to make it through the European Tour after securing a card for the coming season.
"One year in Europe will harden you up, the wind, the conditions," he said. "Then get on to the US if I can."
Randhawa has suffered a few setbacks in the last few years.
He fractured his collarbone in March 2002 after crashing on his motorcycle. He took up yoga to regain focus and went on to claim the Asian Tour Order of Merit that year.
He began well in 2005, only to be sidelined for two months by injury before returning two months ago.
"Everytime I go down I'm learning something, so I come back stronger," he said.
The top Indian pair's next big test will be at the 24-nation World Cup, to be held in Portugal from November 17 to 20.