Seamus Power was thrilled to deliver a six-under par moving day round of 66 that leaves him trailing just two shots back of the leaders ahead of the final round of the American Express at Palm Springs in California.
With the wind blowing on Saturday, Power was out on the easier La Quinta course where he took full advantage, threatening to go into overdrive with a remarkable run of golf that saw him reel of four birdies from the second hole before an eagle at the sixth in an astonishing opening.
Six under through six holes, Power would three-putt the ninth for bogey and three-putt the par-5 11th for par before picking up a fifth birdie of the day with a ‘2’ on the par-3 15th, signing for 66 and leaving him in fourth place and satisfied, sitting at 16-under par and just two back of American Lee Hodges and Frenchman Paul Barjon.
“It was very fun on the front there,” Power said, having frustratingly been overlooked for coverage for most of Saturday’s coverage.
“It was one of those runs where I just made everything I looked at for an hour and a half. I had a little hiccup with a three-putt on nine from really nowhere at all. Then I didn’t take advantage of 11 and 13 but I picked up a nice one on 15 so overall very pleased, especially with the wind when we started. I would’ve been delighted to take six-under going out this morning so yeah, a good spot to be in tomorrow.”
Power enjoyed a breakthrough win at last year’s Barbasol Championship and has been the model of consistency ever since, with two top-5 finishes on his resume already this season. A win on Sunday would move him to second on the FedEx Cup standings, not that Power is thinking that far ahead, despite his form.
“My game’s just in good shape,” he added ahead of Sunday’s return to the Stadium Course. “Even when the wind blows like this, I’ve good control over my ball and you need it out there – you’ve got to be able to move the ball the right way.
Part 2 of 2 of Seamus Power’s Round 3 reflections pic.twitter.com/oF5DiDwcaO
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“It’s just a continuation [of what’s come before] this week and hopefully it will happen again tomorrow. So much will depend on conditions but it will just be a case of taking it as it comes. There’ll be some chances. You know you have to go forward. I know 16-under’s not going to win it so I’ll go out there and be aggressive when you can and be patient when you have to be.”
Joining Power in the final round will be fellow Irishman Graeme McDowell who ensured his first paycheque of the New Year after grinding out a one-over 73 on the Stadium Course to leave GMac in a tie for 45th at eight-under par.
McDowell signed for four birdies, three bogeys and a double in a typically dogged performance as he looks to build momentum ahead of an important season for the former US Open champ.
- Full scoring HERE
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