Englishman Tom Lewis has made an amazing start to his professional golf career by winning the Portugal Masters – only the third tournament he has competed in as a professional. Lewis, 20, who is based in Welwyn Garden City, went professional earlier this year, following an impressive amateur record which included such golf trophies as the Silver Medal in the 2011 Open Championship, and has now claimed his first success as a pro.
Lewis claimed five birdies in the final seven holes to finish with a final round score of 65 at Oceanico Victoria, giving him a final score of 21 below par – two shots clear of the runner up. He will now claim the first prize cheque for £416,660 in addition to what he will be hoping is the first of many golf trophies in his professional career. The victory also guarantees him a European Tour exemption period of two years.
“I’ve not thought about the money – I was thinking about winning,”
Lewis told reporters after his final round. In total, the former amateur scored a remarkable 22 birdies in the final 52 holes and stood in seventh position on the leader board with seven holes of his final round to play. The astonishing sequence of five birdies in this closing stretch sealed his victory, with Spanish player Rafael Cabrera-Bello securing second place.
Lewis will now prepare to make his first appearance in the World Championship in China in November and currently lies in third position on the points table for next year’s Ryder Cup.