Transitions represents change for Lewis

US TOUR:ENGLAND'S TOM Lewis this week makes his first appearance in America since turning professional.

The 21-year-old from Welwyn Garden in Hertfordshire, whose first round 65 in the British Open last year was the lowest-ever score by an amateur, will play at the Transitions Championship in Florida, which starts today.

Lewis does so at a time when the European contingent will be trying to make it three victories in a row on the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy, winner of the Honda Classic a fortnight ago, is now on three weeks off before the US Masters.

But Justin Rose is looking to follow up his success at the Cadillac Championship on Sunday.

Rose will be playing in the first two rounds with Luke Donald, who needs to win to regain the world number one spot from McIlroy.

In a real sign of the times it is less than two years ago that Europe’s golfers last achieved a hat-trick on United States soil.

On that occasion it was Rose at the Memorial followed by Lee Westwood in Memphis and then the crowning glory of Graeme McDowell in the US Open at Pebble Beach.

McDowell is taking a week’s break before returning for the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Shell Houston Open before Augusta.

Darren Clarke is due to return to tournament play at the Houston Open, where Pádraig Harrington will also be in the field.

Harrington, down to 90th in the world rankings, will also be teeing up in Palm Harbor today.

Lewis has already tasted success in the pro ranks, winning the Portugal Masters last October on only his third start.

Although he has not managed a top 20 finish since then the former Walker Cup star is content to soak up all he can at this stage of his career.

“I’m thankful for the tournament for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “I’m going to need to learn as much as possible this week.

“On Monday I felt they were the quickest greens I’ve played on. I had an eight-foot putt and putted it off the front.

“You can’t afford to do that – if you’re above the hole you can’t stop the ball.

“The course sets up for me well and I’m hitting the ball well, so there’s no reason I can’t perform here.”

TRANSITIONS C/SHIP THE LOWDOWN

Course: Copperhead course at Innisbrook, Palm Harbor, Florida Prize money: €4.2 million (€758,000 to winner)

Course record: 62 Jeff Sluman (2004), Mark Calcavecchia (2007) Course winners taking part: Retief Goosen (2), KJ Choi (2), Carl Pettersson, Vijay Singh, Sean O'Hair, Jim Furyk, Gary Woodland.

Course overview: Tough Larry Packard layout that places a premium on accuracy rather than length off the tee.

Last year: Webb Simpson bogeyed the 72nd hole to lose by one shot to the big-hitting Gary Woodland.

Television: Sky Sports (7pm)