Two-time Asian Tour winner Steve Lewton is in need of some inspiration to help claim his third title and should get a big dose of that at this week’s Mandiri Indonesia Open.

That’s because he is the defending champion – having recorded an emotional victory in the event 12 months ago.

It’s a different venue this time round, as the event is being played at Pondok Indah Golf Course, but that is a plus as he was runner-up in Indonesia’s national open in 2022 and 2023 when it was played at the famous Jakarta venue.

“Oh, it was massive to win last year,” said Lewton.

“I felt the previous two years I had played really solid most of the year but just could not quite got over the line. So to finish off an event and win was nice.

“A lot of hard work went into that win and even before that obviously. It was nice to see it come to fruition. People don’t see the work you put in behind closed doors.”

Steve Lewton gets doused after winning last year . Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Last year, at Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course, it looked like he would just miss out on victory for the third year in-a-row when he finished with a double bogey on the 72nd hole in regulation play to fall back into a tie with China’s Sampson Zheng and Australian Aaron Wilkin. However, a birdie on the second play-off hole ensured him a second Asian Tour title – one that came after an anxious 10-year wait from his maiden win at the 2014 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

It was just reward for a player who finished two behind Gaganjeet Bhullar from India in 2022, and two back of Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong the following year.

Surprisingly, Lewton has not pushed on as expected since last year’s victory.

He explains: “My form was a bit indifferent after I won. I had some good results but not as consistent as I wanted, so maybe I just need to try and get more consistency into the game.”

He finished 2024 ranked 16^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit while at the moment he is in 83^rd place. His best performance this year came at the season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, where he tied for 24^th.

He has work to do to get back to his best but that began last week when he tied for fifth at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament – an Asian Development Tour event, also played in Jakarta. An opening 61 was particularly encouraging.

“Really happy with my game after a long break,” he said.

“It was good to get some competition reps under my belt as I have not played much over the past couple of months. Playing at home is different to playing in a competition. So, it was good to see the work I have done is working.

“My game is decent but you never know. You try and get a game plan, stick with it and play well.”

He had a sniff of a 59 at the Ciputra event. He needed an eagle on the 18^th for that but having already made two eagles and seven birdies he could only manage a par to take the first-round lead.

Similar scoring will be needed if he is to contend this week at Pondok Indah Golf Course. Bhullar was 20-under when he won and Nitithorn 18 under.

Lewton said: “There are a lot of birdie opportunities but the key is not to get frustrated. So, stay patient all week and try and hit as many greens as possible.”