A new star is born was the remarks at the Portugal Masters prize-giving ceremony as Tom Lewis claimed a maiden professional victory in only his third appearance.
England born Lewis also beat Tiger Woods quicker to the victory post for his debut success in winning by two shots with a 21-under par tally on the Oceanico Victoria course at Vilamoura.
It took Woods five events to win his first tournament as a pro in capturing the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational.
Tom Lewis with the Portugal Masters trophy. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Lewis, 20 left his more fancied rivals in the shade birding four holes in succession from the 14th to defeat Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello (71) who ended on 19-under par.
Only last month the young Englishman was celebrating victory as a member of the GB & I Walker Cup team.
Lewis’ parents, Bryan and Linda were so nervous watching their son they left the Algarve on Friday night returning to their England home.
They named their son after eight-time Major winner Tom Watson.
In July, Lewis became the youngest ever player to share the first day lead in the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s and he played the first two rounds alongside Watson who he now expects to hear from.
Lewis then went on to win the Low Amateur medal.
“I was not expecting at all to win in just only three events,” he said.
“I was really dreading going to Tour School at the end of the year but it looks now I can skip that and I am so pleased.
“I was not thinking about the money but more about winning. But I am still a long way behind Luke and Rory who are at the top of the order of merit.
“I’m just so pleased to win this week and have a two-year exemption on the European Tour as I was not thinking of anything like that as the start of the week.
”I was just happy to shoot something in the 60s today and not matter where I finished but to shoot 65 is something I thought I could never do but I managed to hole the putts.
“I played some silly shots out there but if you had of said I would finish 21-under par, no way so I am just pleased with my effort.”
Lewis, who is still living at home with his parents, earned a prize cheque of Euro 416,600, a two-year Race to Dubai exemption and earns an exemption into next month’s $US 7.5m WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.
The Welwyn Garden City club pro also gets a start in the season-ending $US 7.5m Dubai World Championship and next year’s $US 8.5m WGC – Bridgestone in Ohio.
Lewis had been afforded an invitation into next week’s Castellon Masters but he now tees up a fully fledged member of the European Tour and exempt to the end of 2013.
One of the first to congratulate Lewis was European Tour CEO, George O’Grady.
O’Grady’s message was simple: “Well done Tom. Welcome to the European Tour.”
Lewis has raced from 235th to 53rd in the Race to Dubai and is now third on the European Ryder Cup qualifying table.
