Lewis ends seven-year drought in Portugal
Tom Lewis, in just his third start as a professional in 2011, won his maiden European Tour title at the Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria. Seven years later, he has his second, at the very same course and in the very same tournament.
The Englishman carded a final-round 66 to hold off overnight leader Lucas Herbert by three shots.
Lewis, who shot 61 on Saturday, made his charge early on the final day, carding birdies on two of his opening three holes en route to a front-nine 31 which saw him lead by two at the turn.
A bogey on the 10th reduced his lead to one, but he got that shot straight back with birdie at 11 and then rolled home another gain at 13 to get to 22-under.
Lewis looked to have let his opponents back in when he found the water from the 17th tee. A penalty drop left him too far back to attack the green and instead he was forced to lay-up. An uninspiring wedge left him 30 feet from the cup, before he produced his shot of the day, draining his par putt to stay at 22-under.
He wouldn’t be caught.
Herbert, meanwhile, found water himself at 18 which saw him double bogey the hole and fall into a tie for 2nd with Eddie Pepperell, who improved on his 3rd-place finish here last time out.
But for Lewis, his seven-year winless drought was over and the relief was clear to see as he lifted the trophy that meant two years’ exemption on the European Tour.
Final Portugal Masters leaderboard
Talking Point
Who else but Oli Fisher? On Friday the Englishman wrote his name into the record books as he ended the 45-year wait for a player to shoot 59 on the European Tour.
Ian Woosnam, Darren Clarke, Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els – so many players have come close to that special number, while nine players have gone sub-60 on the PGA Tour.
Fisher fired 10 birdies and an eagle to reach a 12 under par total during the second round, but what do we know about him? And what clubs did he use to make history?
Best Quote
Tom Lewis:
It is unbelievable. I am so happy. It has been a rough ride
Best Moments
Two wins 2,534 days apart for Tom Lewis..
2011: Wins @PortugalMasters
2018: Wins @PortugalMastersSecond times a charm. ? https://t.co/E8RZ2CEBeG pic.twitter.com/bRWYriBKPr
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 23, 2018
"I can't see!"#PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/kiDQq5v6b9
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
72-63-61-66 ?.
Five straight missed cuts to start the season but Tom Lewis (-22) a winner @PortugalMasters for the 2nd time in his career! Congrats ?: https://t.co/E8RZ2CEBeG pic.twitter.com/5eAOTe4Eks
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 23, 2018
One last tee shot?
Here goes leader Lewis… pic.twitter.com/iC32PZD8iA
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
Clutch.
Tom Lewis holes a monster putt to keep his 1 shot lead.#PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/BOBLi4Mdak
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
68-69-68-67. ??
This week: -12 in ??
?: Le Golf National ??The next shot @Thorbjornolesen hits will be for #TeamEurope at the Ryder Cup.pic.twitter.com/qfQN8BdLAo
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 23, 2018
In. The. Zone.
Lewis is in control. ? pic.twitter.com/14jkDmlJ0Y
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
Out in 3️⃣1️⃣. ?
Tom Lewis (-21) opens his final-round with, 4 birdies, a bogey free 31. Takes a one-shot lead @PortugalMasters: https://t.co/E8RZ2CEBeGpic.twitter.com/M2rlBPVsio
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 23, 2018
?@lhgolf5 gives it EVERYTHING.#PortugalMasters pic.twitter.com/lxZlzxurOv
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
Almost a stunning start for Pepperell…? pic.twitter.com/oD0pzXWDTF
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 23, 2018
Tied at the top @PortugalMasters:
??????? -20 Lewis
?? -20 Herbert
??????? -17 Pepperell
?? -17 Kinhult2011 champion Tom Lewis birdies the 5th hole to tie the lead ?: https://t.co/E8RZ2CEBeG pic.twitter.com/1YyIUpWOlv
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 23, 2018
He carded the European Tour’s first 59 – but who is Oli Fisher?
The clubs Fisher used to shoot the first 59 on the European Tour
Finally, the wait is over – the European Tour has its first 59
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
