Mark Power is plotting another run at the Amateur Championship after a second round of 65 propelled him from the cut line into the top-3.
After an opening round of one-over 71 at Royal Lytham & St Annes the Kilkenny native shot a blistering second round of 65 to move to six-under after 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying and he can relax for the afternoon knowing he is safely through to the matchplay stages.
Power who is playing in Europe for the first time since returning home from Wake Forest University came close in this event two years ago when he lost out at the semi-final stage and believes he is playing well enough to go far in the championship again.
“Yeah, I’ve had a nice run in this tournament before,” said the 22-year-old. “A couple years ago, I went close, lost in the semifinals. I like where my game is right now. I got some really good work done the last couple weeks ever since I came back from the States.
“I felt quite confident going into this week. Just a matter of staying out of my own way and I’m looking forward to this run in the match play hopefully.
“For us guys this side of the pond, this is the one we all want. It’s a matter of not putting too much pressure on myself. I know I’ve been in this situation before where I could get a run. It’s hard to get it done, so just take every match as it comes now.”
Power who helped Wake Forest to the ACC Championship title this year is studying a major in communications Stateside. He roared out of the traps with three birdies in his first five holes before four birdies in his next five holes took him to seven-under for the round through 11 holes.
The Deacs student didn’t have the best year on the golf course by his own admission, but he feels some much-needed work with his coach back in Ireland has paid dividends.
“It’s been good. In middle of this year, I felt a little bit lost with my game. I suppose my coach being on the other side of the ocean, there’s only so much you can do with video, sending across videos. I got a little bit lost with my game.
“But I started playing a little bit better towards the of end of the season, and it was great to see him when I got back home. I feel like I’m in a pretty comfortable position with my game right now.”
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