Seamus Power sets his sights on a second PGA Tour victory and a spot at the 2022 Masters

Ireland's Seamus Power. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Brian Keogh

October 28 2021 02:30 AM

Seamus Power sees this week’s $6.5 million (€5.6m) Butterfield Bermuda Championship as a golden opportunity to challenge for his second PGA Tour win and a coveted Masters debut.

The West Waterford man (34), who became the 16th Irishman to break into the top 100 in the world rankings two weeks ago, tees it up with Graeme McDowell (4.59pm Irish time) for the first time, feeling confident about his chances.

“It’s a massive opportunity,” said the Tooraneena man, who did not make the field for the CJ Cup in Las Vegas or the Zozo Championship in Japan and fell to 105th in the world but now plans to play four events in a row.

“My game is in great shape, so every week now feels like a great chance (to win).”

Following a spate of withdrawals, there is a field of just 124 at windy Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, where yesterday’s pro-am was cancelled due to “dangerous wind gusts”.

But the thought of high winds does not bother hardy Power, who has finished tied 31st and 37th in his last two appearances in Bermuda.

He had elbow surgery straight after last year’s event and recovered brilliantly before going on to hit top form, culminating in his breakthrough win in the Barbasol Championship in May.

That earned him spots in all this season’s major invitational events as well as the Players Championship and the PGA Championship.

But with this week’s event elevated to full status, having been originally slated as a 120-man opposite-field event against the cancelled World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, the winner will get the full complement of FedExCup points, an invitation into the 2022 Masters and a cheque for $1.17m (€1m).

“It’s surprising for sure,” Power said of the fact that the event is three players short of the full complement as Bermuda’s mandatory vaccination policy deterred some players and the event’s more stringent entry requirements reduced the pool of alternates.

“Bermuda is a beautiful place and a beautiful venue, but I think many are still negative on international travel with the Covid rules.

“It’s turned into a strange week with winds making playing yesterday and today impossible, but overall I’m feeling very positive at a course I really enjoy.”

Patrick Reed, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Brian Gay and Nick Watney are the favourites.

While the course measures just 6,828 yards, Power will relish the challenge and will enjoy his draw in a featured group with McDowell and South African Dylan Frittelli.

“I have never played with Graeme before, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I love the course, though it’s unusual for a seaside course with a lot of funny angles and quite a bit of elevation change.”

McDowell (42) is making his debut in Bermuda and after finishing 195th in the FedEx Cup last year and falling to 262nd in the world, he’s looking for results as his PGA Tour exemption runs out next August.

Meanwhile, Maynooth University’s David Kitt, Jordan Boles and Ryan Griffin opened with one-under 71s to share the lead with Ulster University’s Kyle Patton and DCU’s Luke Lynch in the Irish Intervarsity Championship at Portsalon, one clear of DCU’s Cian Harkin and Trinity’s Eoin Sullivan.

Bermuda Championship

Live, Sky Sports, 7.0pm