Mark Power has a Road to Mallorca ranking of 92nd and there is an argument that this is a false representation of how well he is actually playing but he has so far been plagued by an inability to make weekends count as opportunities for big finishes have turned into middling weeks which stunt progress.
Power has shot in the 60s just once in weekend rounds on the HotelPlanner Tour this term and that was in the final round of the PGTI Open where he had previously shot 72 on his way to a season best T17 finish. So far this season the Kilkenny man has turned top-15 finishes into top-50s and he knows that he must find a way to piece the jigsaw together to start climbing the rankings and making significant ground on the top-15 DP World Tour card places.
“Ive had a few disappointing weekends the last few tournaments I have been in decent positions going into weekends and not played the way I wanted to. I really do feel like my game is close,” said the Mount Juliet star after a second round of 67 at the Swiss Challenge which leaves him on four-under and in that familiar spot of the top-15 where he knows he must move up over the weekend and not stall.”
The putter holds the key for Power and while he is capable of devastating birdie stretches he wants the flat stick to perform on a more consistent basis.
“This week is the best I’ve played in a while certainly approach play so if I can keep giving myself chances and try and stay patient, can be tricky, if I can get the putts to drop I can have a good weekend,” added Power who trails Matthew Southgate by seven shots.
After grinding out an opening 70 in wet conditions on Thursday which included a birdie, eagle, birdie run on 16, 17, 18 to round off his front nine, he took to the Golf Sempach course eager to make a positive move, and he did so moving up 26 places.
The 25-year-old made a fast start with three birdies in six holes before dropping a shot on 10. He took advantage of 16 and 17 again with another birdie, eagle run.
“It was a lot easier conditions today, we got it tough yesterday so it was a complete battle. I was really proud of how I ground it out yesterday and knew I had a chance to score this morning.
“We still got a lot of rain so it was a good test. The back nine was pretty score able and I played great, gave myself so many chances, putter was cold to be honest, made one or two towards the end but they are ones that you should make. I’m really playing well so I’m happy about that and looking to keep it going into the weekend.”
Power was a little disappointed to three-putt bogey the last, a habit he is looking to kick over the weekend and marry up his short game with his imperious long game.
“I was in the middle of the fairway with a wedge at the last and thinking another birdie to finish but it stung a bit to finish with a 3-putt. Still a long way to go and I am happy with where I am and how I am swinging it.”
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