England’s Tom Lewis is staring at a virtual Portugal Masters ‘Last Chance Saloon’ and three years after being crowned crowned one of the Tour’s quickest winners at Vilamoura.

Lewis, 24 captured the prestigious Portugal event in 2012 and in only three years ago and in only his third Tour tournament as a pro.

It was an effort that matched the feat of Spain’s Sergio Garcia who captured the 1999 Murphy’s Irish Open in only his third event.

Former Portugal Masters winner Tom Lewis needing to finish top-60 to be virtually assured of wrapping-up his 2016 Tour card. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

But after being exempt to the end of 2014, the Welwyn Gardens-born Lewis has struggled this season missing the cut  in 12 of 25 events including sitting out the weekend rounds in five events in a row mid-year, and also not making the cut in his past three.

Lewis will tee up in tomorrow’s starting Euro 2m event lying 113th on the Race to Dubai money list and only two places shy of breaking into the top-111 that will retain full 2016 Tour membership.

“It’s always a great feeling coming back to a course where you have won before but then I can’t hide the fact it’s been a disappointing and upsetting year,” he said.

Three years ago – Tom Lewis captures the Portugal Masters in only his third Tour event as a pro. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

“But these are the things we have to deal with and when it is my time, I will be ready.

“So this week will be a good week for me to shoot the low scores I know I am capable of shooting.

“I know the position I need to finish and there’s no reason why I can’t achieve that goal but then when your confidence is low you don’t hole as many putts as the guys who are playing well.”

In fact, Lewis needs to finish inside the top- 60 to be assured of his Tour card while he will also have next week’s Hong Kong Open, and a final event should he not qualify for next fortnight’s start to the Final Four Series, to lock-in his card.

Lewis will play the opening two rounds in the company of South African Jbe Kruger and Spain’s Alejandro Canizares.