Séamus Power is confident that if his game is firing for four rounds on any given Major week, then he possesses all the tools necessary to capture one of men’s golf’s four biggest titles.
Power’s relentless rise through the world golf rankings has injected the West Waterford man with the belief that he belongs at golf’s top table, and better still, Power’s results have provided hard evidence that he’s found his place too.
The 35-year old returned a T27 result on debut at the Masters before following up with a T9 finish at the US PGA Championship, and given how he’s acquitted himself during his short Major career, Power sees no reason why he can’t eclipse his previous efforts and win a Major title.
“I think if my game is on in a given week, I think I’m good enough to win,” Power said.
“I always say this: if someone like Rory [McIlroy] goes out there and plays his best golf for four days, you are not going to win. He’s going to win the tournament.
“But I feel like if I play my best golf for four days, there’s very few guys who will be able to top me. So that’s my thought process going forward.”
Following his breakthrough win at the Barbasol, Power has kept the peddle to the floor, already guaranteeing his place in the end of year Playoffs as his FedEx Cup points continue to accumulate.
Power has made no secret of the fact that playing his way into the Tour Championship remains this season’s big goal but by edging closer to that target, he’s also played his way into positions previously unknown and experienced how he copes with the pressure, not least when occupying a spot in the third last group on Sunday at the US PGA.
“I felt really good,” Power said of playing under the spotlight.
“Over the last year, I’ve been in some sort of contention regularly enough. That definitely helped in this situation and it’s something to lean on. I know they haven’t been Majors, but you still learn some things to make you confident the next time.”
Unlike trips to Augusta, Southern Hills and Brookline for his previous Major starts, Power arrives to St Andrews with experience in the locker, albeit course knowledge gained from his amateur days that might feel like a distant memory now.
“I played the St Andrews Links Trophy as an amateur and it’s so special there, so to play The Open at St Andrews is going to be incredible,” Power said.
“It’s the 150th anniversary Open at St Andrews which is going to be even cooler. Earlier in the year, everyone was asking me about Augusta but The Open has been more on my radar than any of the rest.”
Asked if he believes he can win, Power added;
“Absolutely! As a player growing up in Britain and Ireland, it’s something you dream of. That’s the plan and the goal. Obviously, to go and win the 150th Open at St Andrews would be something for the ages.”
Power plays with Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith at 8.03am on Thursday.
- Full tee-times HERE
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