By Derek Lawrenson
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Tom Lewis looks like a young Luke Donald, employs Luke?s brother Christian as his caddie and has now turned to the former world No 1 for advice on rebuilding his career.
It was sad to see the 22-year-old Englishman looking so stressed out.
How do you follow leading after the first round of the 2011 Open at Royal St George?s as a fresh-faced amateur and then winning only your third event as a pro three months later with a wonderful final-round 65? Lewis fell into a classic trap.
On the way back: Tom Lewis has enlisted the help of the Donald brothers as he bids to find form
Fine teacher: Luke Donald has given Lewis advice on his short game
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?Like so many young players, I was just trying too hard,? he said.
?I changed a few things, thought I?d be playing better a lot quicker than it turned out and then I lost confidence.?
Enter the Donald brothers. First Christian, who took over caddying duties in January.
He knew who Lewis should seek out with regard to some short-game weaknesses and so it was that Tom flew to Florida to spend time with the man who might be the best in the world in that department.
?It was very good of Luke and we?ve played a few practice rounds since, which really helped,? said Lewis.
Luke?s verdict? ?The talent was clearly there but he wasn?t taking advantage on or around the greens and then he?d lose momentum if he hit a few loose ones because his short game wasn?t sharp enough,? he said.
?We looked at the fundamentals and addressed those. It was also important he stopped being so hard on himself.??
They are lessons on life and golf that the personable Lewis has absorbed and you can?t help but notice the difference.
On the bag: Christian Donald, seen here with former employer Martin Kaymer in 2011, is Lewis' caddie
Fine start: Lewis won his first professional event at the Portugal Masters Golf tournament in 2011 but has struggled since
?It was about a month ago that I really took on board what Luke was saying about chilling out, that it wasn?t life and death,? he said. ?And I can see small signs my game is turning around.
?It will be unfortunate if I don?t make it to The Open (he has to win the Scottish Open this week to qualify).
'Muirfield is one of my favourite courses but there will be opportunities in the future.
?I also have a fight on to keep my card but even if you don?t see me for 12 months I will be back and good things will happen if I stay patient.?
Timing now crucial for Scottish Open
Has the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open lost its identity, as Graeme McDowell claims?
Or was Paul Lawrie right to lambast his Ryder Cup colleague and jump to the defence of his national Open, which takes place in its pre-Open slot at Castle Stuart this week?
You can see why Lawrie would take offence.
On paper, the comment looks damning. But, sitting in the room when he aired his views, it was clear G-Mac meant it as constructive criticism.
Scottish Open debate: Graeme McDowell, left, and Paul Lawrie disagree on the tournament's standing
His point was: the event has slipped from its previous position of high-standing, how do we make it great again?
Only three of Europe?s 12 Ryder Cup heroes will be in attendance and thank goodness Open champion Ernie Els firmed up his commitment last week, otherwise the only ?glamour? player would be the loyal American, Phil Mickelson.
It?s hard to see how the event can regain its lustre if it stays in this slot, for the event is principally a victim of the fact big names would rather conserve energy by not playing the week before The Open.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
?To qualify to play at Augusta and everywhere else is just amazing. Your year can change in one day.?
That will be the little-known Swede Jonas Blixt, whose victory in the Greenbrier Classic on Sunday not only got him into the Masters next year but The Open next week.
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