Tom Lewis is feeling right at home as he returns to the scene of his first and last European Tour victories at this week's Portugal Masters.
In just his third professional start, Lewis lifted the trophy at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in 2011 but had to wait seven years to taste victory again at the very same venue just over 12 months ago.
After a good start to the 2019 Race to Dubai, Lewis secured his first top ten in 15 events last time out at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and is full of confidence on a happy hunting ground in Vilamoura.
"I feel like I know where the lines are, I’m confident where I know I can hit it and where my bad shots can go," he said.
"There are a few changes out there, with a few more trees that have been planted, but they don’t come into play that much. You’d have to be very unlucky for those to come into play.
"If I hit it well and hole putts, I feel comfortable on this golf course.
"It’s going to be fun. The weather will be pretty good, it’s going to be colder than last year - last year was really warm. I’m looking forward to it, there’s always great crowds, the field is always nice and I’m sure it’s going to be a brilliant week.
"The course suits me and the greens are really good. They’re firmer and faster - hopefully I can hole as many putts as I did last year.
"I’ve played a few times in the US this year, so I’m kind of used to it a little bit. I’m looking forward to putting on these greens - you can start it on-line and get it to the hole."
If I hit it well and hole putts, I feel comfortable on this golf course
The Englishman was not the only headline-maker at last season's event as Oliver Fisher recorded the first 59 in European Tour history.
Lewis recorded a 61 in round three last season for his lowest European Tour circuit and is not ruling out going seriously low again.
"It was great for Oli to achieve what he did - hopefully he doesn’t think he needs to do that again," he said. "It’s going to be hard for him to shoot it again, with that sort of expectation on his shoulders.
"I’m in a good position where I feel I don’t need to win this event but I’m going to really enjoy my week and if I shoot 59 I’ll be well chuffed."
