Teenager Tom Lewis has given himself the goal of turning pro within 15 months after finishing as the highest-ranked amateur at the Australian Open. The 19-year-old Englishman finished the tournament seven under, holding off Tasmanian Ryan McCarthy to claim the coveted Silver Medal by a stroke. Guided by leading European coach Pete Cowan, who also looks after world No.1 Lee Westwood and US Open champion Graeme McDowell, Lewis wants to continue as an amateur for at least another year before chasing the big riches on the pro tour. “I&aposm still going to be an amateur for the next year. I want to try and get on the Walker Cup team, that&aposs my big goal, and try and win a couple of tournaments along the way and turn pro and see how it goes,” he said minutes after shooting 69 in the final round at The Lakes. “Hopefully I will turn pro in no more than 14 or 15 months.” Keen judges are predicting a huge future for Lewis, who underlined his potential with four quality rounds at The Lakes. Lewis finished 12 strokes behind winner Geoff Ogilvy, his stand-out performance coming a week after he lost the NSW Open in a play-off to Peter O&aposMalley. “I&aposm delighted with my performance. I still lost by 12 so I&aposve got a few things to work on but I&aposm happy with this last couple of weeks,” he said. “Obviously losing last week&aposs not ideal but I would have taken my position at the beginning before I came to Australia.” “This (the Silver Medal) is really up there.” “These are the first two pro events I&aposve ever played in so they&aposre great achievements, especially to win the leading amateur in both.” “I&aposve got to go back and work on a few things and hopefully come back and take the trophy one day.”
Author: Adam Lucius, Sportal