Power proud to avoid Sawgrass carnage and make the cut
Séamus Power
SÉAMUS POWER was "proud" to overcome brutal weather conditions and card two rounds under par to contend for the $20 million Player Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
The West Waterford man had to return to the course at 8.15 am local time to play the dreaded 17th and 18th and make sure he made the cut.
He admitted he was fortunate to return and play the 136-yard 17th in calm conditions and make an easy par-three.
The world number 50 would bogey the 18th and card a second successive 71, but at two-under-par, he was tied 22nd and safely through the last two rounds, giving him another chance to consolidate his place in the top 50 and secure his Masters debut when the qualifying cut off falls on March 28.
"Having those two holes left, there is nothing guaranteed, but so it's nice to get in the clubhouse," a relieved Power said. "The shot this morning on 17 was much easier because we saw the highlights last night and we could see it on the course yesterday.
"Trying to hit any sort of short iron yesterday, you couldn't hit it hard enough, but the flag wasn't blowing much on 17 this morning, and I was just a little nine iron and I was able to get it on the green.
"To drop one on 18 was disappointing but overall pleased just to get done."
Power played just a hole and a half on Thursday, 12 holes on Friday, 20 yesterday and two so far today to find himself two shots adrift of clubhouse leader Doug Ghim, who shot two 70s to lead by a shot in the clubhouse on four-under from Bubba Watson and Dustin Thomas as the second half of the field completed their second rounds.
"It's been strange," Power said. "One of the more unusual ones I've ever played in terms of stop-start. But it is what it is. It's one of those things you get on with it the best you can, and hopefully, I'll go get a rest and be ready for this afternoon."
He was especially proud to avoid the carnage that affected several big names on Saturday when winds gusted over 40 mph.
"Yeah, pretty pleased overall," he said. "It was one of those days yesterday in particular could have got away from you very quickly the way the wind was blowing. It was pretty treacherous.
"It was good not to have any big numbers yesterday and to drop one and still finish under par is pretty pleasing overall.
"You're obviously disappointed to bogey the last. It could have been a little better here or there, but overall I'm pretty pleased. The last couple of days, we had rain for a lot of our round on Friday and very strong winds yesterday.
"I was kind of proud of hanging in there and kind of staying patient, not really knowing what was going to happen with the tournament."
Patience has been key so far and Power hoped to chill out with friends watching sport on TV before getting ready for his third round this evening.
"That was the thing, just to remain patient because I hit a couple of shots that were good shots and then you get the wrong gust and you can miss your spot by 25 yards with a pretty decent shot," he said.
"It's one of those days you have to stay patient, and I was able to hit some good shots into some of the tougher parts of the course, so I was able to kind of hang in there as best I could."
Pleased to make the cut after missing his last three, he added: "It's going to be good for the weekend, so that's always a good start. Hopefully, guys don't get too far away."
He's not overly concerned about high winds and admitted his Irish upbringing on links courses was a help, even if the style of course made it even more challenging.
"Obviously, you grow up playing in the wind, but you don't play courses like this in the wind, so that's a difficult transition," he said.
"The wind is whipping through the trees, changing direction, and you've got an island green at 17 and you've got trouble everywhere.
"When we played links golf, we knew where the wind was coming from and you can hit it as low as you want.
"But you still learn some tricks, learn how to flight of the flight the ball and stuff like that you're never going to lose and it was very very handy yesterday.
"It's been a strange week. I've played a bit every day but not much every day, but it's nice. You kind of lose track of what day it is, but it's great to be finished.
"I'm going to go and have a little rest and come back this afternoon and hopefully play some more good golf.”
Rory McIlroy was hovering on the cut line at two-over-par after a brace of 73s as Shane Lowry headed out on one-over-par looking to take advantage of benign if cold, early conditions.
