Golf

Seamus Power reflects on ‘career changing, life changing’ win

‘I was able to stay patient, JT made just one mistake and I was able to take advantage’

Seamus Power after putting in to win on the 18th during the sixth playoff hole. Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Seamus Power after putting in to win on the 18th during the sixth playoff hole. Photograph: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Mon Jul 19 2021 - 09:16

Ireland's Seamus Power admitted it will take a while for the benefits of his first PGA Tour victory to sink in after beating JT Poston in a play-off at the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky.

The 34-year-old from Waterford held his nerve to par the sixth extra hole at Keene Trace Golf Club after he and overnight leader Poston had finished tied on 21 under par.

Poston had looked set for victory before hitting his tee shot out of bounds by a matter of inches on the 15th to run up a double bogey and then three-putting the 16th.

Power had earlier birdied the 16th and 18th to complete a closing 67 and also chipped in for a birdie on the first extra hole which was matched by Poston.

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“I probably have to take three days to kind of figure out some goals,” said Power, whose win secures his PGA Tour card and entry into next year’s US PGA Championship, The Players Championship and the Tournament of Champions. It also wins him $630,000.

“Probably two months ago, just to get into the (FedEx Cup) play-offs I would have been absolutely over the moon.

“I had a good round of golf, but the win is obviously a two-year exemption and someone said I’m in The Players and PGA Championship and that kind of stuff, so everything’s going to change at least for the immediate future.

“I haven’t really let that sink in yet, it’s just kind of still hitting me that I’m holding this trophy. They’re all kind of good things I’ll have to deal with here soon.

“It was an incredible day. I started out knowing I was going to need a low one. To be honest, I didn’t think five under would be low enough, but I was able to pick one up on the last, squeeze into a play-off and eventually pulled through there.

“The first hole there was very exciting to get the chip-in and JT to follow. You’re trying to tell yourself he’s going to make it, but deep down it’s a little bit already thinking ahead.

“I was able to stay patient enough there and JT made just one mistake and I was able to take advantage. Unbelievable day, career changing, life changing, all that kind of good stuff. It’s not going to sink in for a while.”