It was great to be in contention for the first time as a professional at the Andalucia Open last weekend and although I eventually lost in a play-off to Thomas Levet, I think I handled the pressure pretty well. My stomach was churning and I had to focus hard over the last few holes. I was trying to keep my emotions in check, to control my breathing and put into practice everything I have been taught.

I was glad that I did not fall away in the fourth round and I was pleased with two 67s over the weekend, especially as I was playing with Lee Westwood and was able to measure myself against him for the first time. I am now convinced that it is just a matter of time before I get my first win on the European Tour.

Some people suggested that I used the wrong club when I found water at the last hole in regulation play. I was leading Thomas by one shot at the time and hit a three-iron 270 yards. But the thing was, I was trying to fade the ball away from the water. It didn’t come off, but we have to accept that those things happen in golf. Lee hit a three-iron as well and Thomas used a rescue club. All credit to Thomas. He had three birdies in the last five holes and would not give up. He said some nice things about me afterwards - comparing me to Nick Faldo and even Tiger Woods.

It is very flattering to be compared to Nick. He is the best British golfer there has been and I would love to do as well as him one day. But I do not think you can sit here and say: “I want to be as successful as Tiger.” If I won half the things he has won, that will have been a fantastic career. Right now, though, I have got to focus on the Portuguese Open that starts in Estoril today. There was a lot of hype last week and I enjoyed that, but now I have to move on.

It was great to see Rory McIlroy there to support me at the end in Spain. We are good friends. That said, there is a lot of rivalry between us from our days in the junior ranks - I would win a tournament, he would win one - and we desperately want to beat each other when we are in the same field.

Some people have compared our potential rivalry to the great rivalries of the past, the likes of Faldo against Sandy Lyle, for instance. It is true that to make the game really exciting it needs some guys to come out and fight each other on a regular basis, but it is far too early to compare us to such great players.

If all goes well and we progress as we would like, hopefully that will happen. But neither of us is taking anything for granted. This game is too tough, and the other players far too good, to be getting ahead of ourselves. I have been on tour for less than 18 months and I know that there is room for improvement in every aspect of my game.

Which is why it was so good to play with Lee. He has played Ryder Cups and won so many tournaments that you can only learn from him. He is relaxed on the course but really focused when he gets over the ball. And he was right when he said we are playing the wrong game if we want sympathy when things go wrong. You only get out of this game what you put in and you have to stand on your own two feet.

Experiences like last week can only make me stronger and hopefully I’ll give myself a couple more chances this season and put one away.

- Oliver Fisher, 19, has been a member of the European Tour for nearly 18 months and is a regular contributor to Times Sport.