Surprise package Tom Lewis has been backed to last the Open Championship pace – by a Shropshire golfer who defeated him less than two months ago.

Lewis, a 20-year-old amateur, stole the first day headlines at Royal St George’s with a first round 65 which left him tied for the lead with Thomas Bjorn.

Ludlow’s Oliver Farr is a team-mate of Lewis on the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad and believes the youngster’s first day display will be no flash in the pan.

“Tom’s a great player and I wasn’t surprised how well he did yesterday,” said 23-year-old Farr.

“I think he will still be there on Sunday. How he copes with the nerves and pressure will be key – but he has got the game and the right people around him to guide him through it.

“I’m led to believe the forecast for the weekend is awful and I think that will suit Tom because we are used to playing on links courses in bad conditions in amateur events.

“It was great to see him doing so well yesterday. It gives us all a boost because it shows it’s a very fine line between the top amateurs and the professionals.”

Farr’s most recent encounter with Lewis on the course ended in a victory for the Shropshire-based Welsh international.

“We play in all the same tournaments but I haven’t really been drawn with Tom often,” added Farr.

“But I’ve played a lot with him at Walker Cup squad meet-ups. We had one at Aberdeen in May and we played foursomes against each other.

“We (Farr and Ross Kellett) beat Tom and his partner 2&1 – it wasn’t a major tournament but you never go out to lose.”