While Ireland’s top-three world-ranked stars struggled in Memphis, Seamus Power found his way without trouble to the near the top in the Barracuda Championship.
Power, and the lone Irishman in the field, scored 11 points in the modified Stableford scoring format to end his round sharing second place before eventually being officially credited TO BE UNDATED AT PLAY’S END
Power is competing some 3,340 kms west of Memphis and on the Tahoe Mountain host course at Truckee in California and about 50 kms from Reno in Nevada.
Seamus Power very comfortable at elevation as evident by 11 points on day one of the Barracuda Championship
The tight three-lined course lies around 1,800 metres above sea level and ensures the three par-5s are reachable in two while players can drive two of the par-4s.
Power, and clearly displaying the confidence gleaned in securing a season-best finish of T12th a fortnight ago in Detroit, took full advantage of his first par-5 in eagling the 507-metre 12th and just the third hole of his round.
In the modified Stableford scoring format the eagle ‘3’ was worth 5 points for the Irishman.
Power, and with Cork’s Simon Keelan calling the shots, then grabbed two points for a birdie at his ninth and moved to nine points with a second birdie of his round at the par-3 third hole and the 12th hole of his round.
This week’s stunning Barracuda host course at Truckee, CA
And much to his delight, Power went into a then share of the lead in snatching a third birdie of his round at the 413-metre ninth and his final hole.
“I really complain as I got off to a great start with the eagle at my third that is worth like two-and-a-half birdies this week so that was nice, and all day I was in control and drove the ball well,” he said,
“It’s a beautiful golf course as you stand on some of the tees and with the fairways lined with these tall trees. The whole backdrop is also just beautiful. Though in saying that, it’s a good test and while the fairways are generous but then if you get away from them just a little bit you can find some nasty spots.
“In saying that, I drove the ball really well today and that was the key.”
Three weeks ago, Power was inside the top-10 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic right up until a handful of holes late on Sunday, and with his share of 12th his best finish in what he knew, and before the Coronavirus pandemic, would be a limited main PGA Tour season.
“I did a lot of work in the downtime we had off as I thought I was not going to have that many opportunities, so I knew I needed to make the most of my chances like I did in Detroit,” he said.
“So, after a good first round here it is something for me to build on.”
