Seamus Power ensured himself a Sunday pay cheque as the 54-hole cut fell at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Playing off conditional status this season, the West Waterford professional knows the importance of taking advantage of his limited starts and he looks set to do that this week in California.
Tackling the Monterey Peninsula course in round three, Power would’ve been hoping to make an impact on the leaderboard but he was more stuck-in-the-mud on moving day in signing for an even-par round of 71.
At four-under par, he remains inside the top-50 but will be looking to go low around Pebble Beach on Sunday to maximise his profits as he looks to regain full status on Tour.
With the cut mark falling at minus-three, both Padraig Harrington (+2) and Graeme McDowell (+3) failed to meet the required mark.
Meanwhile, Canadian Nick Taylor retained his lead atop the board despite few people seemingly taking notice.
“I’m not going to draw a big crowd typically, other than people who know me,” said the sixth-year pro from Canada. That, of course, changes on Sunday.
Taylor, at 17 under, will be in the last group at Pebble Beach, paired with defending champ Mickelson, who’s one shot back. The next closest pursuer is Jason Day, another two shots behind. Everyone else is at least six shots off the lead.
Thus, all eyes finally will be on Taylor with each swing Sunday. But he doesn’t expect those eyes to be accompanied by much vocal support.
“I know who they’re going to be pulling for,” he said. “… Obviously if he makes a putt or great shot, the crowd’s going to go wild. I’ve just got to do my own thing, try to block all that out.”
Mickelson will be going for a tournament-record sixth win. He’ll also be going for his 15th win in his home state; only Tiger Woods has as many California wins since 1983. And he’ll be going for the 45th win of his career.
And he’s doing all this at age 49. The crowds that Taylor will see for the first time this week have been following Mickelson for nearly three decades.
“It’s a special place,” Mickelson said after his 5-under 67 that showed off his short-game wizardry. “… Having that special connection with Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula through my family going back to the first year Pebble Beach opened, my grandfather being one of the caddies, and being able to share last year’s experience with my brother (his caddie Tim) — this has been a really fun family experience.”
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