Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Retour
Seamus Power, Austin Smotherman share 54-hole lead in Bermuda as windy forecast sets stage for Sunday

Players in Article

Highlights | Round 3 | Butterfield Bermuda

Players in This Article

Favorite players to keep them at the top of your leaderboard and get the latest updates. or Sign Up to save favorites across devices.

Written by Associated Press

SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda (AP) — Seamus Power made up a two-shot deficit across the wind-blown closing holes Saturday at Port Royal Golf Course for a 4-under 67, giving him a share of the lead at 16 under with Austin Smotherman going into the final round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

Smotherman finished off his round of 66 with a 10-foot par save while trying to play as conservatively as possible in wind that lived up to its reputation in Bermuda.

It was strong enough to impress Power, the Irishman who grew up in these conditions.

"Today was proper wind, at least for me," Power said. "It's tough because you'd like to hit a low shot but you're so elevated or you're hitting off an upslope that it's tough to judge, it's tough to get the flight that you'd like to hit. So it's a different challenge than when we play in wind at home."

Power hammered a 5-wood off the tee and into the green, both times hitting a hard draw into a wind that was ripping off the left, and he left himself 40 feet for a two-putt birdie. A final par allowed him to join Smotherman at 16-under 197.

Seamus Power reaches par-5 No. 17 in two, makes birdie at Butterfield Bermuda

Seamus Power reaches par-5 No. 17 in two, makes birdie at Butterfield Bermuda

They were two shots clear of Taylor Moore (66), and Canadians Corey Conners and Ben Silverman, who each shot a 69.

Smotherman rode the wind to a 9-foot eagle putt on the par-5 seventh hole, putting him at 5 under for the round as he quickly made up ground. And then it was time to hold on down the stretch.

The wind was so severe on the par-3 16th that his chip 7-iron to a front pin wound up going into a back bunker some 35 yards long. He blasted out to the fairway just in front of the green and got that up-and-down for a bogey.

Smotherman failed to birdie the par-5 17th, and that was OK with him. He was trying to keep it simple, hitting fairways and greens and taking advantage when he could along the back nine.

"Once we turned, I felt like the wind just kept picking up," Smotherman said. "No. 11 tee shot was kind of the first one where we were really like, 'Wow, it's on another level now. These next few holes aren't going to be what we're used to seeing these last couple days.' So, super simple shots in our mind."

Austin Smotherman sinks 7-foot putt for birdie on No. 15 at Butterfield Bermuda

Austin Smotherman sinks 7-foot putt for birdie on No. 15 at Butterfield Bermuda

Smotherman is feeling looser than most this time of the year. He picked up his first PGA Tour title at the Bank of Utah Championship, earning a two-year exemption and all but assuring he will be in the early $20 million signature events.

Power is at No. 103 and needs to end the FedExCup Fall in the top 100 to keep his full status for next year. Seven of the leading 10 players on the leaderboard Saturday were outside the top 100.

More wind was in the forecast for Sunday, which Power said should work in his favor — not because he's Irish, but it makes it harder for those behind to make up ground with birdies.

Even so, it's usually tight at Port Royal. This is the third consecutive year the tournament has had a two-way share of the lead going into the final round. Twelve players were within four shots of the co-leaders.

You may like

Chandler Blanchet rides a pair of eagles to a season-best 62 and the lead in Bermuda

abcnews.com il y a 2 jours

Chandler Blanchet, Kensei Hirata share 36-hole lead at Butterfield Bermuda Championship heading i...

pgatour.com il y a 23 heures

Why pros fear Bermuda's Port Royal golf course, the Bristol Speedway of the PGA Tour

aol.com il y a 2 jours

Japan's Yuto Katsuragawa ties course record and leads Genesis Championship

abcnews.com il y a 11 heures

Women’s Indian Open: Chiara’s aggressive play takes her to the top

thehindu.com il y a 2 jours

Eugenio Chacarra surges into contention as Casey Jarvis shares 36-hole lead at Genesis Championship

pgatour.com il y a 1 jour

Hero Women’s Indian Open: Vani in the van for the first time ever in a LET event

thehindu.com il y a 10 heures

Three majors on two tours not enough for this world No. 3, who leads BMW

aol.com il y a 1 jour

CME bubble players making moves early at LPGA's BMW Championship

aol.com il y a 2 jours

Chiara manages to hold on to the top spot; Pranavi stays within striking distance

thehindu.com il y a 1 jour