Waterford’s Séamus Power couldn’t build on his opening round score of three-under-par on day two of the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic at Dunes Golf and Beach Club as the 39-year-old saw a slip of form on his final nine holes to post a 72.
Power, who began the day T17, teed off his second round on the back nine, making just one birdie before the turn which came at the par-4 16th. A 334 yard drive saw the two-time PGA TOUR winner just 45 yards from the green before chipping it close for a tap in three.
One-under-par heading onto the front nine, he made back-to-back bogeys at the first and second after two loose tee shots.
Another loose one came at the par-5 fourth but this time it had a positive result. Power produced a top class strike from the treeline, catching the corner of the water-dominated green to make birdie.
Hoping this would get things moving, he was hit with another mishap off the tee at the par-3 fifth – missing the green and making another bogey.
Another bogey came at the seventh but a birdie finish at the last saw Power post a one-over-par 72 to sit T38 at two-under – well inside the even-par cutline.
England’s Aaron Rai leads the pack at 10-under-par after the 31-year-old posted a four-under-par 67 in round two.
Rai has been struggling with injuries during the early season, but he has shown no sign of struggles over the past few days.
“Really positive. I think no matter how much you practice at home, you never know quite how it translates. Over the last four weeks or so I’ve had a couple of starts out on TOUR, and there’s been some really good, positive signs,” said Rai.
“Just haven’t quite managed to do it for three rounds, for four rounds. So there’s definitely some good things in there and great start off in this way, but still a very long way to go over the weekend,” he added.
American duo Brandt Snedeker and Mark Hubbard occupy T2, one stroke behind leader Rai. Snedecker posted a bogey free 66 to climb five places on Friday.
“I drove the ball really good the last two days. I think I’ve only missed a couple of fairways. You know, made some putts. Left a few out there, but all in all, I have been playing pretty solid through the back, so it’s been nice on a golf course like this that rewards there,” said the 45-year-old.
Hubbard described the last two days as strange, and his scorecard would certainly bear that out. He has yet to make a birdie on any of the par-5s, but he has six birdies on the par-3s.
“Just been a weird week,” he said. “Overall I think more than anything I’ve been really happy with just how I’ve played and carried myself. My attitude has been better this week. Just playing a little more freely than I have been for the past couple months. That’s what eventually paid off.”
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