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Rory believes Lewis’ victory illustrates burgeoning strength of am game
In light of Tom Lewis’ remarkable victory in only his third event on tour, fellow prodigy Rory McIlory believes today’s elite amateurs are better placed to make the step up to the pro game.
Speaking in Bermuda on the eve of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, in which the US Open champion will compete against the year’s other major victors, the young Northern Irishman spoke of his admiration for Lewis while revealing the schedule of top amateurs has grown increasingly akin to the professional game.
“Tom was basically a semi-pro for the last year of his amateur year, like a lot of the guys, like I was and like a lot of the guys were,” said McIlory, who graduated to the pro ranks at the age of 17.
“They play professional events as amateurs, and you know, Tom is a supremely confident guy.”
Thanks to his victory in the Algarve, Lewis has followed in McIlroy’s footsteps by earning his European Tour card from sponsors’ invites, without having to undergo the rigours of Qualifying School.
“He said in the press that he wanted to get his card in seven starts and not go to Tour School and sort of do something similar to what I did,” McIlroy continued. “He obviously did something a lot better than what I did, winning in his third event.
“It’s great, guys like him and Manassero and myself, Rickie, Asian guys – Ryo Ishikawa, Seung-yul Noh – a lot of these guys are just so much more ready to come out and play.”
Though aware of the emergence of a hoarde of talented young golfers from across the globe, McIlroy couldn’t identify one reason in particular for the prevalence of successful youngsters on the world’s main tours.
“I don’t know if it’s just because we get experience in the pro events at an earlier age or the coaching is better or the technology is better or what it is,” he said.
“But everyone just seems to be a little bit more ready to come out and play. Bud Cauley obviously just got his card, as well. All of these guys coming straight out of college and amateur golf are finding it very comfortable on Tour.”
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