La Quinta Resort, CA ….
Seamus Power set about making the most of his early season PGA Tour appearances with a five under par 67 on day one of the Career Builder Challenge at La Quinta in California.
Power snatched seven birdies and with his only mishap a double bogey at his sixth hole on the Jack Nicklaus course and one of three venues hosting this week’s $US 5.8m event.
Seamus Power looking to make the most of his opportunities on the 2017/18 PGA Tour. (Exclusive photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It handed the Irishman of 11th place and just three shots behind little known American Dominic Bozzelli who signed for an eight under par 64 on the adjacent Stadium Course.
The North Carolina-based Power is contesting his seventh event on the 2016/17 wraparound schedule and after missing the cut in the new season opener he has played all four rounds in the following six.
Power is contesting the La Quinta event for a first time and aside from the double bogey, the lanky 33-year old looked very much at ease.
“I played really well and just hit a poor tee shot at 15 that was my sixth hole, and where I had to lay-up further back than I would have liked so aside from that hole it was pretty good,” he said.
“So, it’s not a bad start and take that double off my card and I would have been right up there on the board but then five under is well-placed.
“It’s the first time I have played here at La Quinta but then I heading to the Stadium Course for my second round and that is the tougher of the three venues.
“But in saying that I’m given myself a great start rather than heading into day two playing catch-up.
“In playing a practice round at the Stadium I thought was the hardest with this Nicklaus course the next hardest and the La Quinta Country Club probably the least tougher of the few.”
Power is competing on the main Tour on a ‘conditional basis’ and while he will be limited in his opportunities it will be all about either winning a first PGA Tour title and/or finishing the year inside the top-125 on the FedEx Cup points standing and thereby securing his card for the 2017/18 season.
“I’ve made the cut in the last six of seven events I played before the Christmas break so I’ve come out here to California raring to go,” he said.
“But then I’m not into next week’s event at Torrey Pines and also the following two weeks after that in Phoenix and L.A.
“So it’s all about making the best of my opportunities and it’s pleasing to be standing here having played so well today.”
