In a tribute to those immortal words uttered by former Waterford hurler John Mullane back in the day (after winning the Munster title in 2004), a group of Séamus Power’s supporters at the Masters have been bringing a tricolour around the place. “I love me county,” it goes. And, in his first ever appearance in a Major, the golfer reciprocated that affection shown by his fellow county folk.
Power hadn’t managed a birdie through 27 holes of his debut in the Masters until he reached the 10th hole of his second round, where he hit an approach of 195 yards to six feet and rolled in the putt. It didn’t provide the impetus he needed, following up with back-to-back bogeys on the 11th and 12th.
Then, with his back to the wall and struggling for survival, something kicked in and birdies at the 13th and 16th contrived to turn things around, ultimately signing for a 74 for 148, four-over, that ensured he would progress into the weekend.
On a day when a wicked, swirling wind made life difficult for one and all, Power - who has risen from 463rd in the world rankings to a current position of a career best 41st - showcased his fortitude to go with some excellent shot-making when required to make the cut.
Of the wind which swirled around the course, making the tips of the cathedral pines dance as if mocking the efforts of those humans swinging golf clubs below, Power explained: “You’re scratching your head and you want to be mad at everything, but it’s just tough going out there.
“You’re trying to hit accurate shots into small areas with winds gusting up near 20 miles an hour. It’s just tough, so you’re kind of doing your best hanging in there.”
To Power’s credit, six-over-par for the tournament at that time when he stood on the 13th tee, he more than hung in. He fashioned a back nine of 35 for that 74 which left him playing the role of pursuer going into the weekend but at least with the opportunity to make his presence felt.
The difficulty of the challenge posed and the second-guessing forced on players was demonstrated by play on the 12th. Patrick Reed, the former champion, hit an eight iron tee-shot to the Par 3 which caught in the wind and found the water short of the green. Power’s shot with the same club, with a lower flight, flew the green into the rear bunker.
As he put it, “I watched guys and heard guys talk about 12 for years, and you’re like, ‘nah, it can’t be that bad really’. Then you’re standing there today, and it was this bizarre sequence of events. Patrick stood up and hit a shot that got hammered by a gust, and it went only 135 yards.
Bewildered
“I’m standing here with the same club not really knowing, you still have to commit to it, and I hit one of the best shots of the day, and you watch it fly straight into the back bunker. Then you’ve got a shot you can’t land on the green.”
No wonder players were left looking confused and bewildered at times.
Of managing to turn his round around to ensure he would be again driving up Magnolia Lane for the weekend, Power said of his 74 that it was “pretty good,” explaining: “The whole back nine ( was good). I slightly came out of a tee shot on 13.
“Besides that, I only missed one shot, and I was lucky to shoot one under. That’s the test it is out there. It’s just tough. You’re trying to do your best to commit to lines, but then the wind does funny stuff . . . you see the guy in front of you doing weird, different things. You just do your best and kind of hang in there. There just isn’t a lot of margin for error.”
Still and all, for a player who used to visit Augusta National in his time as a student at East Tennessee State University, back then dreaming of one day playing in the Masters, this debut has brought its own degree of appreciation. To make the cut? Well, that’s the first part of the job done.
“Obviously, any week you hope to make the cut (is good), but this week it would be even more special. It’s just such a fun course to play. There are so many different shots, like so much imagination required. It’s a blast.”
