Solid start for Mark Power in Kenya
Mark Power was pleased that his lack of course knowledge didn't hold him back as he opened with a three under 67 in the Magical Kenya Open at Karen Country Club.
The Kilkenny man (25) sandwiched a bogey at the 15th between. birdies. at the 12th and 16th before making an eagle at the par-five 18th to turn in three-under 32.
He went on to drop a shot at the third but birdied the eighth to card a 67 that left him five shots behind early leader Niklas Lemke.
The Swede fired an eight-under 62 to lead by a shot from Scotland’s David Law.
“I was very happy,” said Power, who received a sponsor’s invitation. “Obviously not ideal preparation. I got into the event on Tuesday afternoon, got here yesterday afternoon, saw a few holes of the course, and didn't put too much pressure on myself.
“Just went out and tried to enjoy it. It was a great opportunity to get so I went out there and played nicely. So very happy.”
Asked how he prepared, Power joked: “Watching a lot of YouTube videos on the flight of the course. From what I gathered, it was a very strategic golf course; just get it in play. So probably wasn't the worst case for not seeing it.
“Just try and hit it where I can see it, and just try and get used to the conditions. The grass is obviously a lot different from back home. So that was the main adjustment yesterday evening. A lot of chipping just to try and figure it out. But it was all right. Worked.”
As for his plans going. forward, he added: ”There were a couple of holes where I stood on, I didn't really know where I was going at all, so I think I might adjust my strategy on one or two holes.
“But there's probably no point in doing much else if I can keep playing the way I'm playing, like I feel the course really suits my eyes, to just try and keep building on today and rest up would be the main thing for me.”
Altitude is a major factor at Karen Country Club and Power admitted that adjusting was a challenge.
“That was one thing I would have loved to been able to play a practice around to gauge how far the ball was going,” he said.
“But I did some research on the attitude and stuff, and speaking to some guys, everyone's playing around 10 to 12pc, so I started off at 10 and said, I'll see how I get on.
“I stayed there for the rest of the round. So, yeah, there's a bit of an adjustment, but that's fine. The ball just goes further. So it's a bit better for us.”
