Evergreen Asian Tour player Steve Lewton is hoping to draw inspiration from in-form compatriot Richard Bland as he goes for glory in his home tournament, International Series England at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey. The 41-year-old will be teeing off on home soil this week, a rare occasion for the Englishman who first started playing on the Asian Tour in 2012 after earning his card through Q-School. With the event being the fourth of 10 that form a pathway onto the LIV Golf League at the end of the season, Lewton has extra incentive to shine. He is eager to emulate his compatriot Bland, who is also in the field this week. Ten years Lewton’s senior, Bland is a shining example of a player improving with age. The Cleeks GC star claimed back-to-back senior major titles this season and is in a good position to secure his place in the Lock Zone, the top 24 on the LIV Golf League, with just two tournaments left this season.
Lewton admits he is inspired by the veteran, saying: “Looking at Blandy, and how he’s played makes me think maybe I have got 10 really good years left as I’ve started playing better in my late 30s and early 40s. Blandy has 10 years on me, so hopefully I can continue on that upward trend and do something similar.” Lewton may have a number of years on many of his rivals, but age and experience has given him a different perspective on the course. A standout amateur who finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy in the 2006 European Amateur Championship at Biella Golf Club in Italy, Lewton believes that age is now an advantage to him in his career. He has a lot more experience playing in different places, and he approaches the game with a sense of fun and enjoyment, not putting too much pressure on himself.
While Lewton’s last win was in 2014 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, he has shown good form in recent years, with strong finishes in various tournaments. He is looking forward to the second half of the season which includes six events on The International Series in eight weeks. His ultimate goal this year is to give himself the best opportunity to get to LIV, and he is doing everything possible to achieve that goal. Lewton’s most recent standout display was a T4 in the PIF Saudi International, where he competed against big names in the golf world like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Harold Varner III. Going into another big week against a strong field, including the likes of Bland and Varner, Lewton is confident in his ability to raise his game and compete at a high level.
Lewton believes that playing with better players helps him elevate his performance and push himself to play his best. The injection of the LIV Golf League players in The International Series has raised the level of competition, benefiting Asian Tour players and encouraging them to improve. Golf News subscribers can get a 20% discount on GA tickets for all four days of the International Series England tournament by using the code GOLFNEWS20. This is an opportunity for fans to witness top golf talent in action and support players like Lewton as they strive for success on the course. Lewton is determined to make the most of his experience and skills to achieve his goals and continue his upward trajectory in his golf career.
