The No. 48 player in the world was the best-ranked player in that field. Seamus Power, who was ranked No. 48 in the world, played knowing that he was the favorite player in a PGA Tour field. He didn’t care one bit.
At No. 14, power was displayed in a 25-foot downhill birdie. 14 and he overcame a few late bogeys in order to win the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship by one stroke.
Power stated, “I knew it would be hard coming in, and it was.” “I worked hard at it, but was happy to see it through.”
Power, the 54-hole leader, finished with a 1-under 70 at Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, Bermuda. This gave him a total of 72 holes, 19-under 265 which beat Thomas Detry (67).
Power, 35 years old, won his second Tour title in windy conditions that reminded him of his home country. He made three birdies in seven holes and kept going as the conditions got worse.
Detry said, “It was a challenge every putt, every shot,” and he holed a bunker shot last to make it birdie. It was a commitment out here.
Ben Griffin, who had just 21 months earlier quit the game and was working as a mortgage officer. He made six birdies on his 11 first holes to establish a two-stroke lead. Griffin’s second nine was more exposed to wind, and his game was destroyed by the howling winds and growing pressure to win his first victory. To shoot 1-over 72, he made four consecutive bogeys. He also made a double bogey. This resulted in a tie for third. It is his best result in his career.
“I had a few shots that got lost in the wind, and you have to be a bit more precise when it gets windy. Or else you can grind for pars or bogeys quickly. Griffin stated that this happened to him. It’s been a learning experience, and I’m happy to be here competing. “I know that my time is coming soon.”
Power knows how difficult it can be to win. Power was in the top 10 on his Tour 15 times. Only once, however, had he improved his position. That was last summer’s Barbasol Championship victory. Power believed in himself this time and birdie at par-4 14th was the turning point after Griffin had hooked his tee shot and made bogey. Power took the lead with that two-stroke swing and has not looked back.
Clutch with the putter.@Power4Seamus takes the lead @Bermuda_Champ pic.twitter.com/51lsYDzaXn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR October 30, 2022
Curt Byrum, Golf Channel’s Curt, stated that “They talk about trying win for the first or second time. Usually the guys who have been there before when it’s open, they smell” They stand there and walk through that opening.
Power returned a stroke at 15 and then made three putts at 70 feet at 16. He bounced back with birdies at 17 and needed the cushion as he had bogeyed the previous hole. Power relied on his confidence from his victory at the Barbasol’s six-hole playoff to win his maiden title.
Power stated, “Just close your eyes, and picture some of these shots.” Power said, “That’s where your practice and your training come in. When you know what to do when those thoughts arise, that’s where your practice comes in.”
