Lewis ready to learn in US debut

TOM Lewis admits he still has much to learn as prepares to make his debut on the PGA tour.

Despite enjoying a magnificent start to his professional golf career, the 20-year-old from England, who claimed a first tournament win on the European Tour in only his third event, accepts that competing in this week’s Transitions Championship at Innisbrook in Florida – his first appearance in the United States – will give him better insight into the improvements he has to make to be considered among the best in the world.

“I know I’ve got two years in Europe. That helps,” Lewis said, referring to the two-year exemption on the European Tour for winning the Portugal Masters. “It gives me the opportunity to come here and see what standard I need to get to. I’ve got two years to learn as well as I can, and then I have no excuses.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lewis came to the world’s attention last year when he shot 65 on the first day of The Open at Royal St George’s. Fellow Englishman Justin Rose, who tied for fourth in the 1998 British Open as a 17-year-old at Royal Birkdale, knows the learning curve Lewis has to navigate and is impressed with what he sees.

“He seems to be in no hurry,” Rose said. “I see a lot of kids, me included, who come out and think it’s so important to have your tour card immediately, get into the top 50 in the world, get into the Masters, get into the majors. That will all happen in time, and I think you need to focus on development of your game. I think that’s what he’s done really smartly.”