Bernie McGuire, The Renaissance Club, Scotland.
Seamus Power is making his first tournament visit to Europe this year and very much warming to thoughts of returning in September to board a special Ryder Cup charter flight to Rome.
Power will tee-up for a first time in this week’s Genesis Scottish Open at the host Renaissance course to the east of Edinburgh.
It’s fifth hosting at the Renaissance Club in this year’s 41st staging of Scotland’s premier men’s tournament, again attracting one of the strongest fields with eight of the top-10 in the world teeing-up in the $US9m event.
The only two players missing is World No. 2 Jon Rahm and World No. 7 Cam Smith.
Power arrived in Scotland as the World No. 50 and also a winner on the 2022/23 PGA Tour season while he’s coming off a super closing round 64 for a T13th result at last Sunday’s John Deere Classic.
“I’m looking forward to this week’s Scottish Open as I didn’t play last year and after playing nine-holes this morning, I really enjoyed it,” he said.
“I’ve got two weeks over here with The Open next week at Royal Liverpool, so it’s going to be two fun weeks, and then going back home to see the family in Ireland for a few days.
“It’s not as linksy as some golf courses that are real links golf courses but you are still playing those shots you would play on a full links course.
“The good thing also is that my game is coming along nicely with a good result last week at the John Deere and where I showed some good flashes so that is always encouraging.”
Power is currently lying 11th on the Ryder Cup ‘World’ points but effectively sixth given the top-2 in Rahm and Rory McIlroy will qualify off the ‘Europe’ points table.
Power knows all too well how strong showings over these two weeks could help secure that seat on the flight to the Italian capital.
“I have a good run in this next stretch of five events I’ll play, and they include the Play-Offs back in the States, so I know strong showings could lead to a hopeful captain’s pick,” he said.
“Playing in a Ryder Cup is something that I would dearly love to achieve, and I’m not that far away from the present top-three on that ‘World’ points table for Rome.
“So, if you show good form I can at least give Luke (Donald) something to think about, so that will be my goal over these events, while I’m returning to Europe early September to play the Irish Open and the BMW PGA.
“Playing the Ryder Cup was not on my 2023 goals radar when qualifying got underway but if I can reach my other goals coming up to the end of the ‘22/’23 PGA Tour season, and be in with a chance of earning a captain’s pick then I would be thrilled.”
While Power’s not contested a Scottish Open, he’s also not teed-up at DP World Tour HQ at Wentworth.
“Shane (Lowry) speaks so highly of Wentworth, and as he would in winning there last year and his overall great record there, so it’s another first I’m looking forward to. Any tournament I’ve played where BMW is the sponsor, has always been excellent.
“So, having run out of gas a little bit at that time of year last year, I am really looking forward to playing both the Irish and the BMW PGA back-to-back.
“Though all focus, of course, is on this week and then heading next week into what will be just my second Open.”
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