Tom Lewis flying high en route to Iskandar Johor Open 2011
Johor Bahru, October 31, 2011 - Rookie Tom Lewis may not be a household name among golf fans on this side of the world yet, but his remarkable win at the recent Portugal Masters makes him an exciting player to watch at the Iskandar Johor Open 2011.
Lewis, 20, chalked up his maiden professional win at the Portugal Masters in only his third professional appearance, equaling the record for fastest professional title win at three and bettering Tiger Woods' who won in his fifth and Rory Mcllroy who captured his first title at the 38th time of asking.
“I didn't expect my first win to come this soon at all,” said Lewis who birdied five of his last seven holes to take the title by two strokes. “It's very much a relief not to have to go to the Tour School at the end of the year.”
With the win, the Englishman secured his European Tour card for the next two years, leapt 455places on the Official World Golf Rankings to 166th and also jumped to thirdplace on The Ryder Cup points table, as well as entering the all-important top 60 of The Race to Dubai.
“I've not thought about the money - I was thinking about winning,” Lewis said of his incredible week where he had 22 birdies and only one bogey in the last 52 holes. “I've got a long way to go. I'm nowhere near the player I want to be, so I'll put this win behind me at the end of the year and start fresh next year.”
Lewis burst onto the world stage at The Open Championship last July when he shot an opening round 65 to take the lead, becoming the first amateur in more than 40 years to accomplish such a feat. He eventually finished in a tie for 30th and was awarded the Silver Medal for low amateur. Lewis then played a part in the victorious Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup side before joining the professional ranks, producing a top-ten finish in his first event at the Austrian Golf Open and making the cut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
On the back of such meteoric rise, Lewis may even be worth a few punts to clinch the US$2 million championship when he tees it up at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club this November 17 to 20, where he will be lining up against some of the more established golfing stars.
“It will be exciting to compete against such a strong field at the Iskandar Johor Open. This will be the first time for me in Malaysia and I’m looking forward to competing there, experiencing the culture, meeting new people and building on a successful season,” said Lewis.
The fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open this year boasts a stellar field - with multiple major winner, Padraig Harrington, defending his title against big names including eight-time Europe’s Number One, Colin Montgomerie. Other big names include - Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee.
The Iskandar Johor Open 2011 will boast a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers, all vying for the top purse of US$317,000 (approximately RM954, 000).
About The Iskandar Johor Open
The Iskandar Johor Open is one of the fastest-growing tournaments on the Asian Tour, and has attracted some of the best golfers in the world. The event was successfully staged at the Royal Johor Country Club for the first three years, and at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in 2010.
It returns to Johor for the fifth time at Horizon Hills, where once again golf fans will be able to witness yet another exciting golf tournament which is staking its claim as one of the top events on the Asian Tour calendar. It reaches a new level on the international golf schedule with its elevation to a co-sanctioned tournament with the Asian and European Tours for 2011.
Iskandar Malaysia and Johor Golf Association are continuing with their support of this event, and have created the biggest international event in Johor. Since the inaugural event in 2007, the prize money for the tournament has increased by five-fold from US$300,000 in 2007 to US$1,250,000 in 2010. In 2011, the prize money will grow to a minimum of US$2,000,000.
Past winners include Artemio Murakami of the Philippines, who won the inaugural event in 2007, and South African Retief Goosen, who took home the prestigious prize in 2008. KJ Choi lifted the coveted trophy in 2009, and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington ended a two-year winless run in 2010 with a very popular win.
About IMG Sports & Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world’s largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.
More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.
About The Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
About The European Tour
The PGA European Tour, a company limited by guarantee, operates a broad range of business initiatives essential to its primary mission of administering professional tournament golf. It is a unique business which generates profits for the benefit of its Members – the tournament players – who receive their dividends by way of competing and winning prize money.
The growth and development of The European Tour is well documented. In 2010, The European Tour International Schedule consisted of 48 tournaments in 27 destinations, with prize money of €132,204,838 compared to a total prize fund of €350,000 when the Tour was born in 1972.
The funds drawn from sponsors and suppliers, television and ticket sales, hospitality and governments, support a thriving international community in which The European Tour actively promotes the game at all levels.
