Tom Lewis edged out American Peter Uihlein to win the Silver Medal at The Open Championship by three strokes – but the 20-year-old has admitted he’s not ready to turn pro just yet.
The highly-promising Hertfordshire amateur followed up his open rounds of 65, 74 and 76 to add another 74 and finish at 9-over – a tie for 30th place.
“It has been an amazing Open for me,” said the Welwyn Garden City resident. “The first day was wonderful and I couldn’t have asked for more.
“It’s just a shame the last three days that I haven’t played anywhere near as well as I’d hoped.
“After the first round, I thought of possibly turning pro and becoming a millionaire. But that’s not going to happen now. I’ve got things to learn, as I’ve lost by about 20 shots this week.
“I feel like I’m ready in certain areas, but playing with Phil Mickelson on Saturday made me feel terrible around the greens. If you’re going to play with the best players in the world, you have to chip and putt like they do.
“Hopefully I can just play well in the coming weeks and we’ll see what happens.
“I’d love to play in the Walker Cup in September. I’ve made every team possible as an amateur, so Walker Cup would be excellent.”
After two days in the presence of the legend after whom he was named, Tom Watson, Lewis had the honour of playing alongside another of the game’s greats in Mickelson.
And while he struggled in the worst of the weekend’s weather, Lewis was not to be outdone in the race for the coveted Silver Medal – aided by a wonderful driver, 9-iron, 35-foot putt eagle at 7.
“I was just happy to play Mizuno JPX AD Irons with Tom Watson and Henrik Stenson, and Phil Mickelson too,” he concluded. “And I hope I can maybe one day come back and win.”
Lewis won Europe's premier amateur strokeplay event - the St Andrews Links Trophy - in June before receiving congratulations from fellow Welwyn Garden City Golf Club member Sir Nick Faldo.
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