Tom Lewis tees it up at this week’s English Open supported by HotelPlanner looking to kickstart his 2026 season on the Road to Mallorca.
Lewis arrives at The Vale Golf Club 81st on the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings, with an eighth place finish at the Danish Golf Challenge last month representing his best performance thus far.
Despite not hitting top form, the 35-year-old is pleased with where his game stands ahead of the first of two HotelPlanner Tour events in his home country on the 2026 schedule.
“I’ve been hitting the ball well and playing well,” he said. “I’ve finished under par in every event this year apart from one so everything has been great.
“If I can give myself a chance to win that would be brilliant. I’m not saying I’m going to win or expect it but if I can give myself a chance that’s all you can ask for.”
This week’s event in Worcestershire represents the first time the English Open has been played in 24 years, with Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke winning the last staging in 2002.
And Lewis, who tasted victory at the 2018 Bridgestone Challenge on home soil for his only HotelPlanner Tour victory to date, is relishing the chance to tee it up competitively in England once again.
“Whatever happens it’s nice to be in England playing golf in a tournament,” he added.
“I feel like there should be more events back here in the United Kingdom. It’s massive, not just being English, it’s important for all golfers around the world. They know what to expect and the crowds to expect.
“The people are passionate about this sport, and we have some amazing golf courses in the country. I really hope to see more events back here on the HotelPlanner Tour and DP World Tour.”
The Vale makes its debut on the Road to Mallorca this week having previously hosted an event on the EuroPro Tour, with HotelPlanner Tour alumni Brandon Robinson Thompson winning in 2022. Lewis, who travelled to the Worcestershire venue earlier in the year, believes the flat stick could be the deciding factor this week.
“I expect the person that putts well will be up there this week,” he said.
“There are some subtle breaks in these greens and they’re going to bobble a little bit more in the afternoon than in the morning.
“I happened to come here during a period of time off and played a practice round which was useful. Now I know what to expect. Those little details that people don’t see are what top players do.
“You have to have a lot of acceptance around this golf course. It’s going to be bouncy. If you want to be aggressive and take it over corners you can but you might clip a tree or be under a tree and have to chip out.”
The Englishman has previously tasted victory on the DP World Tour, winning the Portugal Masters twice, before also finishing runner-up behind Justin Thomas at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational whilst playing on the PGA TOUR in 2020.
And with the likes of James Morrison and Matteo Manassero resurrecting their careers on the Road to Mallorca in recent years, Lewis feels motivated to climb the professional ladder once more.
“There are opportunities and Matteo is the prime example,” he said. “He went from winning DP World Tour events as an 18-year-old to then returning to the HotelPlanner Tour for seven years then gets himself on the PGA TOUR.
“Chris Wood from playing the Ryder Cup to then going to the MENA Tour and now winning on the HotelPlanner Tour again. He’s confident and has belief and understands that there’s a level below that you don’t want to go again.”
Lewis is part of a strong field at this week’s English Open supported by HotelPlanner including Road to Mallorca Number One MJ Daffue and six-time HotelPlanner Tour winner Benjamin Hebert.
The Englishman gets his first round under way at 8:35am on Thursday alongside his countryman Matthew Southgate and South African Daffue.
