Seamus Power finds himself in a most unique situation heading into this week’s PGA Tour Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
It’s the first time in his 138 Tour events, dating back to his Tour debut nearly six-years ago, that Power finds himself being the only player ranked inside the world’s top-50.
This time a week ago, Rory McIlroy commanded much of the attention in his quest to get back to World No. 1, a feat he attained, now a week on and the current World No. 48 ranked Power finds himself the centre of pre-tournament attention, and guest of the media at the only pre-event press conference.
Power’s top-50 World Ranking was first confirmed in his opening event of 2022, sharing third at the Sony Hawaiian Open and it led to an eye-catching debut showing in the four majors in this ‘Year of the Tiger’ – T27th at the Masters, T9th at the PGA Championship and T12th at the US Open with his only hiccup in the Majors missing the cut at the 150th Open Championship.
“This past season was my first time playing all four and it’s just hard to describe, just the different feel around the major tournaments,” he said.
“One of the things I took from it which is very encouraging is my game held up very, very well. Like I played very well at Augusta, didn’t quite get the putts, but then played well at the U.S. Open and the PGA Tour. Actually, I struggled a little bit at The Open. But it was nice to see in tough conditions under like the biggest scrutiny, whatever, the biggest microscope, my game was holding up well.
“You’re dying to play in the majors and it makes you really excited to try to get back in there. It’s just an extra level of interest, an extra level of kind of buzz around the course. It’s just different and it was very, very special and, as you said, makes you want to get back there.”
Power is dying also to tackle this week’s host venue in what is the Las Vegas-based Irishman’s fourth straight season appearance in the $6.5m tournament, with his best finish a T12th a year ago.
“I really, really enjoy the place though I didn’t know much about the island before I came here the first time, but I’ve enjoyed my experience every time,” he said.
“It’s unique, even something as small as having to catch a ferry coming across to the golf course, I find it’s different and it’s a beautiful place. And I made some friends here over the years now too, so it’s a stop I really look forward to all year”.
As for the host Port Royal course and it’s known strong Atlantic Ocean fed breezes?
“I seem to be able to handle the wind,” said Power. “Obviously like this morning is kind of unusual as the wind’s not blowing much at all, but yeah, for the most part you’re kind of expecting it to be 10, 15mph or more. The course is kind of designed for it, which I like. It kind of helps you kind of picture some of the shots with wind directions.
“I’ve played it in all different winds at this point and it’s just fun, all sorts of different shots here, uphill and down, makes it fun to play, makes it challenging, but it’s kind of enjoyable.”
For Power, the challenge of his fourth event of the new 2022/23 PGA Tour wraparound schedule starts at 4.48pm (Irish time – Thursday).
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