Séamus Power at Valspar Championship: Round 1 Score & Updates

Séamus Power began the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort with a one-over par 72 on Thursday, a round marked by both brilliance and frustration. The 39-year-old Waterford native started strongly, navigating the first five holes with a string of pars after beginning his round on the 10th tee.

Power’s initial momentum was disrupted by a three-putt bogey at the 15th hole. He quickly rebounded, however, with a birdie at the par-3 17th, followed by a remarkable 52-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. A subsequent 47-foot putt at the first hole nearly resulted in a third consecutive birdie, stopping just inches from the cup.

The back nine proved more challenging. Power encountered trouble in a greenside bunker at the second, leading to a bogey. Further dropped shots followed at the third and fourth holes. A well-executed approach shot on the par-5 fifth offered a chance to regain lost ground, but a wayward tee shot on the seventh, his penultimate hole, resulted in another dropped shot.

Power finished eight strokes behind the clubhouse leader, Sungjae Im of South Korea, who posted a round that included two eagles and six birdies. According to reports, Im also recorded bogeys on two of his final three holes. The Irish Independent noted Power’s struggles to make the cut at the tournament.

The opening round at Innisbrook saw Power relying on his short game, as highlighted by the Independent, but ultimately needing to improve his performance to contend for a place in the weekend rounds. ESPN reports that Power is currently 39 years old and hails from Waterford, Ireland.