Seamus Power will carry Irish hopes of a Major win into the final round of the PGA after he fired four birdies in his last eight holes for a moving day 67 at Southern Hills
Power was tied for 23rd on level par overnight, nine shots off the leaders but the K Club professional followed a level par front nine with a back nine blitz coming home in 32 shots.
Power showed his class down the stretch by reeling off four birdies in five holes.
After firing wedges to eight feet at the 12th and four feet at the par-five 13th, he rifled a 157-yard approach to six feet at the 15th and knocked in the putt to move into the top 10.
He then almost holed out for albatross with a three wood at the 296-yard 17th, before pitching to eight feet and knocking in the putt.
“It was a funny round,” Power said. “It was a little frustrating there around the turn. I bogeyed 11, and then I actually hit it in the rough on 12, but guessed right coming out of the rough, and it got close.
“And that really got me turned into the right direction, and I made some nice putts coming down the stretch.”
He added: “Everything feels pretty good I’m rolling it well and I’m driving it well so hopefully there’s a lot of exciting opportunities tomorrow.”
“It’s obviously a big tournament but it’s not the end of the world and everything is not going to come to an end no matter what happens tomorrow.
“I think having the perspective of being slightly older and having been through all the stages of it, you know that opportunities will come. It’s kind of fun to be in this spot and fun to see how your game is going to hold up.”
As for his approach to the final round, he plans to keep his eye on the road and not get distracted by the scenery.
“Anything under par is always going to be a positive score on this course and it won’t be any different tomorrow,” he said. “You’re going have to play well or you going to go backwards, it’s a simple as that.
Power has only played seven rounds of golf in his Major career will no doubt have some first tee nerves but he plans to keep it simple as he enters Sundays final round “For me it’s going to be the same starting on the first tee tomorrow, just trying to hit the shot that I am visualising.
“I have different things I have to do in every shot and if I can do those things I’ll be happy so when I stand on first hole I’m going to visualise the drive I want to hit. Whether comes off or not, obviously I’m hoping it’s gonna come off so you’re hoping it’s there for the final round.”
“Everything feels pretty and good I’m rolling it well and I’m driving it well so hopefully there’s a lot of exciting opportunities tomorrow.”
Power has been drawn with Abraham Ancer in the third last group for the final round.
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