Records tumble as amateur Tom Lewis leads Open

While a Brit was being tipped to take this year's Open golf championship by storm, nobody expected it to be 20-year-old amateur Tom Lewis. As the likes of McIlroy, Donald and Westwood struggled in the tournament's first round, the young Englishman hit a phenomenal 65, finishing five-under par and in joint first place with Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn, a man twice his age. 

Lewis picked up seven birdies, bringing him the lowest score ever carded by an amateur in the Open's 140-year history. He also equalled the lowest amateur score ever recorded at a major and became the first amateur to share the Open lead since 1966. Quite impressive for a boy who's just left his teens. 

Lewis comes from a rich golfing heritage. His Hertfordshire hometown – Welwyn Garden City – was where six-time major winner Nick Faldo grew up. His father was a golf pro who named his son after one of his sporting idols, Tom Watson. (His other son is called Jack, after Nicklaus). 

And, as fate would have it, it was Tom Watson who partnered Lewis yesterday as the youngster stormed his way through Royal St George's 18 holes. "Tom didn't mention it but I was told that yesterday by three different sources," Watson said afterwards. "It must be true, it must be. I said: 'Do you still go to school?' I just had to smile inside to watch him play."

A wide-eyed Lewis, on the other hand, appeared just to be enjoying every moment, especially the standing ovation from fans as the pair approached the 18th. "I didn't know if it was for me or the other Tom," he admitted. "It was excellent, we don't get that for amateur golf or anywhere in the world for golf so I'm thrilled the fans are there."

Not much is known about Lewis. He qualified by winning a local event at Rye and plans to turn professional September. He is already signed to IMG. He has dyslexia. And, like many men of his age, he counts David Beckham as an idol. 

"David always used to wear seven and I loved the way he played football," Lewis admitted yesterday. "I just loved to replicate it. So that's probably why. And he's got cool hair." 

Watching 20-year-old Lewis calmly knock his way into the lead yesterday just weeks after 22-year-old Rory McIlroy won the US Open, golf fans may well be thinking that young British talent is just like buses: you wait ages for one, then two come along at once. And as he teed off his second round on Friday morning the media interest in Lewis was almost as intense as it was in McIlroy, who carded a rather less impressive one over par on Thursday. It remains to be seen which of the two will be better placed on Friday evening. ·