Lewis adds to Europe’s pool of young talent, says O’Grady

EUROPEAN Tour chief executive George O’Grady has hailed Tom Lewis as golf’s “new young star” following the Briton’s spectacular victory at the Portugal Masters.

The 20-year-old, in only his third tournament as a professional, produced a blistering final-round 65 to record a two-shot win at Vilamoura on Sunday. Lewis’s achievement of winning third time out equalled the 2007 feat of Rory McIlroy. “We have witnessed the emergence of a new young star,” said O’Grady. “It was a breathtaking performance.”

O’Grady said the European Tour was fortunate to have three outstanding young players in Lewis, McIlroy, 22, and Italian Matteo Manassero, 18.

“Tom, Rory and Matteo are three unique talents who have been lucky to break through early in their careers,” said O’Grady. “Matteo has already won twice and he is a precision player who always looks under control while Rory had to learn how to lose tournaments before he could win them.”