Power rides the wind to move into contention in Bermuda Championship
Seamus Power
Seamus Power used all his experience to roar into contention for his second PGA Tour win in six starts in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
The West Waterford star (34) took advantage of the best of the weather at windswept Port Royal to make five birdies and a bogey in a four-under 67 to share fourth place in the clubhouse when play was suspended, just two strokes behind leaders Brandon Hagy and Chad Ramey.
Playing alongside Graeme McDowell, who was tied 25th after mixing four birdies with three bogeys in a 70, Power birdied the first, then bogeyed the par-five second before picking up shots at the fifth and seventh to turn in two-under.
High winds and torrential rain briefly forced a suspension in play for the early starters, but Power dealt well with slightly easier but still blustery conditions in the afternoon, missing just four greens in regulation.
He birdied the 14th, then made an eight-footer for par after bunkering his tee shot at the par-three 16th before picking up another shot at the par-five 17th.
Players struggled in the conditions with many unable to practice properly following the cancellation of the pro-am due to dangerous weather.
But having played the event in 2019 and 2020, Power knew the course well and his experience playing in the wind at home left him in his comfort zone.
“I’m very pleased how I played,” Power said. "We definitely got the easier part of the day there in the afternoon, but it's still a strong enough wind that your score could get away from you if you lost control of your ball. So overall, very pleased and hanging in there was the thing today.
"On some spots on the course it was really blowing, but the greens were much better than I thought. I thought it was going to be very difficult to putt with the strength of the winds. Overall very pleased, very happy and in a good spot for tomorrow.”
Power knew the course well from two previous appearances and didn’t mind missing practice on Tuesday and Wednesday due to high winds.
"I think it definitely helped because I wasn't on the golf course the last two days,” he said. "The comfort level of having played it before and kind of knowing what to expect definitely made that easier.
"Guys were out in the afternoon yesterday trying to see it the best they can, so that aspect was nice. I've always felt comfortable here. It's a beautiful place, I have some friends here and just kind of feel at ease, so that always helps in a tournament.”
Patrick Reed holed a seven iron from 210 yards for an eagle three after driving into a penalty area at the 17th en route to a three-under 68 as England's Matthew Fitzpatrick battled to a level par 71 in the worst of the wind.
"You see winds like this, but normally you don't play in them," Fitzpatrick said. "This was the hardest wind I've ever played in. I absolutely ripped a drive on seven.
"People are going to laugh at this because they probably think it's my normal tee shot, but anyway, I ripped it, and it went 245. I think my season average last year was like 295. Just shows you how strong it is."
Hagy and Ramey led by a shot from Vincent Whaley with Power tied for fourth with Justin Lower, New Zealand’s Danny Lee, South Africa’s Garrick Higgo, England’s David Skinns and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
Griffin leads Intervarsity Championship at Portsalon
In amateur golf, Maynooth University's Ryan Griffin made eight birdies in a six-under 66 to lead the Irish Intervarsity Championship by four strokes heading into today's final round at Portsalon.
He tops the leaderboard on seven-under-par from teammates Aaron Marshall and David Kitt, who shot respective rounds of 68 and 70. Scores
DCU's Luke Lynch and Ulster University's Kyle Patton shot 72s to share fourth place, six shots off the pace on one-under.
Dobbin wins Connacht Under 16s at Athlone
Meanwhile, Malone’s Fionn Dobbin closed with a level par 72 to win the Connacht Under-16 Boys Open at Athlone.
He finished on one-under-par, one stroke clear of Douglas’ Jack Murphy, who shot 73, with Ballinsloe’s Charlie Mooney third on two-over after a 75. Scores
