Séamus Power recovers well but misses cut in Texas

Irishman shot 67 in second round but damage was done in the first at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Séamus Power of Ireland lines up a putt at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Photograph: Sam Hodde/Getty
Séamus Power of Ireland lines up a putt at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Photograph: Sam Hodde/Getty

Séamus Power produced a fine second round of 67 in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas but it was not enough to survive the cut in the €8.9 million purse event on the PGA Tour, the damage inflicted by an opening round 73 that left the Waterford with too steep a task to make amends.

Power’s 36-holes total of two-under-par 140 left him on the wrong side of the cut mark in the tournament at TPC Craig Ranch, where Jake Knapp – winner of the Mexico Open earlier in the season – assumed the clubhouse lead on 14-under-par 128 after back-to-back 64s.

“It’s just a case of doing the same,” said Knapp of his philosophy headed into the weekend, who added: “The scores are going to be low. The course is pure. Unless the wind really starts blowing, the numbers are going to keep up. I’ve just got to keep the pedal down and keep making birdies.”

Power is not yet in the field for the US PGA Championship at Valhalla in Kentucky in a fortnight’s time but will play in next week’s Wells Fargo tournament, a signature event on the PGA Tour, which will offer him a last-gasp chance to make the season’s second Major.

Philip Reid

Philip Reid

Philip Reid is Golf Correspondent of The Irish Times