Seamus Power boosted his goal of making his Masters debut early next month after superbly fighting his way into the closing two rounds of the weather-delayed Players Championship.

The current World No. 50 admitted he was ‘proud’ of his efforts in eventually posting a pair of 71s for a two-under-par day on the third day of the Tour’s flagship event at TPC Sawgrass, and with his efforts more than likely to see him move back up the World Rankings.

Once again you could be mistaken it was wintery Scotland and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with players, caddies, TV crews, and spectators still wrapped up in winter woolens, fighting the continuig chilly conditions.

Seamus Power shows true grit battling his way into the last two rounds of the Players Championship. (Photograph – PGA Tour)

After fighting strong winds on Saturday, Power still had just two holes to play when play was called on Saturday, so it meant an early Sunday morning start to complete his round, but with the Waterford golfer leaving the Pete Dye-designed course late on Saturday knowing he had to resume his round from the famed par-3 17th.

Sunday dawned thankfully with the winds having dropped and with Power findind the island green, landing his tee-shot some 13-foot shy of the flag and rolled-in the par putt.

However, a bogey at the last saw Power head for a late breakfast with a second straight score of 71 but moving some 20 spots up the leaderboard to be well inside the projected two-over-par cut mark.

“We couldn’t tee-up last night as the group in front of us was on the green when the horn went, so we didn’t have a choice and we were done”, said Power. “It’s an unusual place to start, but the shot was definitely easier this morning, so probably worked out in my favour”.

“Also, it was still cold this morning.  Again, you just do the best you can. Yeah, pretty pleased overall. 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”.

Power, who started his second round one-under after a 71, had played his first 16 holes on Saturday masterfully under the circumstances as three birdies and one bogey had him three-under, but a frustrating three-putt on the final hole led to a dropped shot and a second consecutive 71.

Despite that, the 35-year-old was pleased with his second round and how he managed to avoid being drawn into a battle around the cut line in the midst of the gale-force winds and multiple delays over the first three days.

“It’s pretty funny, we played a hole and a half on Thursday; played 12 holes, I think, something like that on Friday; and then 20 yesterday and two so far this morning. It’s been strange,” he laughed.

“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.

“I’m pretty pleased overall. It was one of those days, yesterday in particular could have gotten 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.