Power proud after hanging tough through 36-holes at The Players

Adam McKendry
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Seamus Power (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Adam McKendry

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When the horn sounded on Saturday night, Seamus Power could hardly have been in a worse position at TPC Sawgrass – standing on the 17th tee box.

Faced with the daunting prospect of returning and hitting into the island green as his first shot of day four, it proved a blessing in disguise as overnight the winds calmed and by the time he returned, he was faced with a much easier shot.

“It’s an unusual place to start, but the shot was definitely easier this morning, so it probably worked out in my favour,” said Power, who would find the putting surface and two-putt for par.

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It was a slightly disappointing finish to his round for the Waterford man, who resumed with two holes to play at three-under but would bogey the 18th to drop back to two-under. However, given the treacherous conditions, that is nothing to be sniffed at.

Power, who started his second round one-under after a 71, had played his first 16 holes on Saturday masterfully under the circumstances as three birdies and one bogey had him three-under, but a frustrating three-putt on the final hole led to a dropped shot and a second consecutive 71.

Despite that, the 35-year-old was pleased with his second round and how he managed to avoid being drawn into a battle around the cut line in the midst of the gale-force winds and multiple delays over the first three days.

“It’s pretty funny, we played a hole and a half on Thursday; played 12 holes, I think, something like that on Friday; and then 20 yesterday and two so far this morning. It’s been strange,” he laughed.

“One of the more unusual ones I’ve ever played in terms of stop-start. But it is what it is. It’s one of those things you get on with it the best you can, and hopefully I’ll go get a rest and be ready for this afternoon.

“I’m pretty pleased overall. It was one of those days, yesterday in particular could have gotten away from you very quickly the way the wind was blowing. It was pretty treacherous. It was good not to have any big numbers yesterday and to drop one and still finish under par is pretty pleasing overall.

“I was kind of proud of hanging in there and kind of staying patient not really knowing what was going to happen with the tournament, with the rounds and stuff, so yeah, overall pretty pleased.”

At two-under, Power is currently in a share of 24th and five shots behind leader Tom Hoge, who started his second round at six-under and played the first eight holes of his second round in one-under to move one clear of Harold Varner III, Tommy Fleetwood and Keith Mitchell.

Shane Lowry, meanwhile, is hanging just inside the cut-mark at present at one-over for the week having played the first seven holes of his second round in level-par, with Rory McIlroy at two-over hoping the cut line falls one shot lower so he will be around for the final two rounds.

The third round is due to get under way at 6:15pm Irish time in threesomes from both the first and 10th tees, and it is expected the leaders will have to return to finish their third rounds on Monday morning.

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