English prodigy Tom Lewis hoping to bag the Sicilian Open title on European Tour
This week’s Sicilian Open on the European Tour will have many of the young guns of the tour, including the home boy Matteo Manassero and the English prodigy Tom Lewis, both hoping to land the title on the Italian turf.
Lewis broke headlines last year in the Open Championship, when he soared to the top of the leaderboard in the first round, playing as low amateur.
He declined an offer to turn professional after the event and went over to participate in the Walker Cup, playing brilliantly in the event.
He turned professional soon after and landed his first professional European Tour title, the Portugal Masters last year.
Lewis believes the two courses are similar in many respects and will suit his game.
He said, “The one in Portugal suited my game very well, and this one’s very similar. There’s a lot of room to hit your driver on, and you need good iron shots into the green. If I’m on my game, that’s where my strengths lie, so if I can hole some putts”.
The 21-year-old Englishman carded spectacular rounds of 70, 64, 68, and 65, finishing two shots clear of the nearest contender.
He won the title only on his third start in the year and was awarded Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
Lewis will be facing some stiff challenges from several of the top-ranked European Tour players but the absence of the giants from the top of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) will definitely prove beneficial for the young Lewis.
Lewis agrees that it was comparatively easier last year to win the title coming out of obscurity and believes it will be more difficult to do the same under the lime light.
He added, “It was obviously nice last year that nobody really knew who I was, so I was able to fly under the radar a little. Now there will be a bit more attention on me, but that’s just something I’m going to have to deal with and hopefully I’ll enjoy the pressure”.
The event has a total purse of €1million and is all set to kick off today at the scenic Verdura Golf & Spa Resort facing the Mediterranean.
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