Seamus Power’s bid for a second PGA TOUR win in three weeks and third of his career ran out of steam on the back nine as Adam Svensson claimed the RSM Classic in Georgia.
Power entered the final round three shots off the pace but four successive birdies in an electrifying stretch threw him into a share of the lead heading into the back nine.
Unfortunately for the Waterford man a three-putt bogey on the 14th ultimately put paid to his chances of winning as he began to run out of holes.
“Obviously you’re hoping to get off to a good start in the season and to be able to pick up some points. Today I’ll be up around 700 points or something, that’s a great start to the season. A lot of good things. A little disappointed with my finish there, it could have been a little better, but that’s golf sometimes. But overall very pleased with the fall, a couple of good weeks to really finish up after the win, so yeah, a lot of positives.”
Power briefly responded and got back to within one with birdies on 15 and 17 meaning he needed a birdie on 18 and a prayer while the final groups closed out their rounds.
However, the world number 30 pulled his approach to the 72nd and was unable to get up and down from the green side bunker, resulting in a closing bogey and a four-under-par 66.
Power’s fifteen-under total was good enough for a share of 5th place, four behind Svensson, meaning he rounds off his year with a win, third and fifth.
“This week was a little struggle long game, but the rest was OK, able to manage it as well as I could. Yeah, just everything’s been pretty decent. Been able to just get more and more comfortable in these positions and it just becomes a little easier to maybe make a putt I wouldn’t have made a couple years ago.”
Being a regular contender can be attritional and Power is looking forward to a well-earned break before the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January.
“I’m looking forward to a break,” smiled Power. “Obviously a bit of both. It’s nice when you’re playing well, but I’m looking forward to some time off and just getting away from it. I did that after the Playoffs this year and I really felt like kind of rejuvenated and you just kind of find that energy and kind of spring in your step again. I’m looking forward to that again and getting started in early January.”
West Waterford Golf Club have had plenty to cheer about over the last month with Power’s win at the Bermuda Championship and Gary Hurley winning his DP World Tour card last week.
A celebration will be in order when he returns home.
“I would imagine so, yeah, because a guy from my golf club just got his DP World Tour card last week in Qualifying School, Gary Hurley. So it’s going to be a joint celebration, that’s a massive achievement. And then me being able to get the win in the fall, so hopefully we’ll have a celebration for golf when we go home.”
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