Reuters

We’ve seen a shift in the golfing world that goes beyond the new marketing schemes of the PGA Tour. While everyone is hopefully optimistic that Tiger Woods will return to his previous form, no one knows for certain what the future holds for Eldrick.

And while a Woods comeback story would practically write itself, both the Tour and the media are trying to cover their backs by introducing golf fans to the new faces in the game. We’ve been force-fed Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero and the like, but perhaps Tom Lewis is the one of the leaders of this new generation.

The 20-year-old, who is the namesake of Tom Watson, won the Portugal Masters last week by two shots over Rafael Cabrera-Bello. Also in the top-10 were Martin Kaymer, Gregory Havret and Thomas Bjorn, so it was no cake-walk.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Tom Lewis is the fact that he is still that bright-eyed kid who is blown away by the things he is able to do. He said it was his intention “to do a Rory.”

Who says that? Think about it: McIlroy is only two years older than him. Doing a Rory sounds like something a little kid would say when he is role playing on a putting green.

Lewis jumped onto the global radar at the British Open when he opened with a 65 at Royal St. George’s, besting the amateur record previously held by Tiger Woods. Lewis, playing with Watson, talked about it being one of the highlights of his life. Not only did Lewis rise to the occasion, he went on to finish as low am at the Open (T30).

Lewis then helped Great Britain and Ireland defeat a stacked United States side at the Walker Cup and then turned pro.

That was a month ago.

Fast forward to last week and Lewis was playing in his third event as a professional. Now, for a little context, it took McIlroy 38 starts on the European Tour. It took Woods just five starts before he won. Lewis won in his third start.

There is no guarantee that this will be the start of a Hall of Fame career, but it can’t hurt. Plus, it’s hard to root against a kid who is taking his winners check, which is just over half a million dollars, and giving it straight to his parents to reimburse them for taking him around the world to play amateur golf.

“My Mum and Dad built up a debt in helping fund my amateur career so I will sort them out first,” Lewis said.

Not only does Lewis no longer have to worry about paying back his parents, he also is out of going to qualifying school because of the two-year exemption that comes with the victory.

“I would not have expected this at all. I was really dreading going to the qualifying school at the end of the year, but it looks like I have skipped that,” Lewis said.

Even with the win that puts him only two wins behind McIlroy, Lewis still knows he has some work to do to reach McIlroy’s level of fame and success.

“I’m a long way behind Rory and have a long way to go. To have two years on the European Tour, I would not have dreamt that at the beginning of the week, so I’m really pleased.”

Lewis will play in the Castillo Masters this week in Valencia, Spain where he will be paired with Sergio Garcia and Matteo Manassero. Not a bad three-ball to follow around.

Congrats to Lewis on his first win. Hopefully he can keep playing good golf and lead the next generation along with McIlroy and Fowler.