Power just four back after gritty 67 in Texas
MCKINNEY, TEXAS - MAY 15: Sam Burns hits his tee shot on the 5th hole during round three of the AT&T Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch on May 15, 2021 in McKinney, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Shooting a low score when you’re not feeling your best is a good sign and that’s exactly how Seamus Power was feeling after a miraculous finish left him just four shots behind Sam Burns with a round to play in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
The West Waterford man was two-under and bogey-free with five holes to play but making nothing happen until he holed a 36-yard bunker shot for an eagle two at the 309-yard 14th at TPC Craig Ranch. Scores
He was beaming from ear to ear as he saluted the crowd all the way to the green and went on to scramble for pars at the 16th (7ft) and 17th (5ft) before getting up and down for an unlikely birdie from way left of the par-five 18th, where he holed from 17 feet for a 67.
“Yeah, it was a little loose today, said Power, who is tied for seventh on 16-under.
“It was a strange round. Probably hit it better early on and didn't really make anything happen, and then I didn't hit it great on the back but holed out a bunker shot on 14 for eagle, and then, yeah, miraculous up and down for birdie there on the last hole.
”All in all kind of up and down day. A little bit of work to do on the range, but pleased with the result.”
Power needs a good final round to complete the job and get himself up the FedEx Cup standings.
He’s ranked 195th in the race to make the top 125 and another round in the sixties is imperative if he’s to make a significant move forward.
Asked if he was pleased with his game, he said: “Yeah, pretty much so. Couple of loose swings coming in, kind of hung a couple shots, but besides that it's been simple. Not making a lot mistakes.
“So keep that up tomorrow and maybe knock in a few putts and we'll see.”
Burns also had a slow day, going to the turn in level or before picking up shots on two par fives on the back nine as he followed Friday’s 62 with a 70 to lead by just one stroke from KH Lee (67) on 20-under.
“Yeah, that's kind of what Travis said coming down 18,” Burns said. “I told him, Man, I didn't really have my best stuff today and just left a few out there.
“He's like, Yeah, but it's hard to follow up what happened yesterday. It's important to remember that.
You know if I feel like if I didn't have my best and was able to shoot 3-under, I'm proud of the way we battled out there.
“I think the golf course played a little tougher with the wind today, I think personally. So, yeah, all in all solid day.”
Power’s playing partner Charl Schwartzel shot 66 to share third on 17-under, three shots off the lead alongside Jordan Spieth (66), Matt Kuchar (66) and Alex Noren (70).
