Seven years after winning the same event in just his third professional start, Lewis carded a final round of 66 in Vilamoura to finish 22 under par, three shots ahead of compatriot Eddie Pepperell and Victoria’s Lucas Herbert.

Lewis began the day two shots behind Herbert, but birdied four of the first eight holes and recovered from a bogey on the 10th with further gains on the 11th and 13th to hold a one-shot lead over his playing partner.

The 27-year-old looked set to lose that advantage after driving into the water on the 17th, but holed from 30 feet for an unlikely par and then saw Herbert's tee shot on the 18th also find a watery grave.

RIGHT: Herbert was three shots away from victory at the Portugal Masters but sealed his European Tour card for 2019 in the process. PHOTO: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

Lewis, who held a share of the lead after the first round of the 2011 Open while still an amateur, told Sky Sports: "It's unbelievable, I'm so happy.

"It's been a rough ride, but this week I played hard, I got off to a bad start and to finish the way I have has been brilliant."