Seamus Power’s return to this week’s AT&T Bryon Nelson in Texas is special for many reasons.
It was a year ago the then No. 342 world-ranked Irishman began a run of results that two months later led to a maiden PGA Tour triumph.
Power made his way to TPC Craig Ranch, to the north of Dallas, and for four rounds was never outside the top-10 posting a superb starting round of 65, and followed it up with rounds of 68, 67 and a closing day 70 to share ninth place.
It was Power’s 112th PGA Tour event since his debut in October 2016 and while he had posted higher place results than T9th, it was a pivotal finish for the quietly-spoken Irish golfer
Power had missed five of six cuts heading into the 2020/21 wraparound season and though he had made three weekends in a row coming to Dallas, the efforts were nothing to write home about with a T21st and a pair of T54ths. As well, in the 26 rounds Power had played that new season, heading to Texas’ third-largest city he was at level par but then in one tournament, the 2021 AT & Bryon Nelson, Power finished 18-under-par. In those 112 prior events, Power also had never played a tournament in 18-under-par or better,
Yes, the 2021 AT&T Bryon Nelson was a huge turning point in Power’s career.
Power then posted a pair of T19s at the Palmetto Championship and Travelers Championship, three of four rounds in the 60s to finish T8th at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, then all four rounds in the 60s at the John Deere Classic to also to share eighth place, as well as shooting 15-under in each.
Then came the defining turning point in Power’s career on the first Sunday in August with Power signing for a career low of 21-under to capture a maiden Tour win at the Barbasol Championship in suburban Lexington, Kentucky
Since then, Power has not looked back contesting a first Masters last month, heading to a first PGA Championship next week and assured also of a maiden US Open and also joining the field for the 150th Open Championship.
And at his Barbasol Championship winner’s press conference, Power identified last year’s AT&T Byron Nelson Championship as pivotal to what transpired two months later in Kentucky.
“I was in a good spot in Dallas, I think I was maybe second with nine holes to go, and I didn’t handle the rain particularly well on the back nine, dropped a couple of shots, but felt like I learned a lot,” he said.
“I was able to put myself in a couple more good situations and gradually just try to learn, like learn how I react under this situation, how my caddie and I react under this situation.”
So, if you are looking for a springboard to the lofty stature the present World No. 41 now enjoys in the ancient club-and-ball game, then start with last year’s hosting of the AT&T Byron Nelson.
Joining Power this week is Kinsale’s John Murphy and teeing-up courtesy of a sponsor’s invitation.
Tee Times – (Irish)
- Seamus Power – 1.45pm
- John Murphy – 3.02pm
- Full tee-times HERE
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