Seamus Power believes his experience in already having won on the PGA Tour was a significant factor in capturing yesterday's Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
It was far from a flawless final round of 70 - "I did just enough," he admitted afterwards - but a significant factor as far as the Waterford native was concerned was his maiden success on Tour, his victory at the Barbasol Championship last year.
Asked whether the challenge is greater in seeking a first title win, or chasing the second, Power said: "I thought it was a little easier today. It’s never going to be easy, but I certainly felt very comfortable, right from the get-go
"My first three shots on the first hole were three of my nicer shots this week, and showed I was in a very good place mentally.
"It was even a little easier down the stretch - even though I didn’t play that way - I felt more comfortable. Knowing you have done it before helps.
"I knew I had a chance at the 12th tee. I felt a little more experienced having played here before, I thought it would stand to me and it just about did in the end."
It adds another chapter to the Irish successes in 2021, with Rory McIlroy [Canadian Open, Tour Championship, CJ Cup], Shane Lowry [BMW PGA Championship], Padraig Harrington [three wins on PGA Champions Tour] and Leona Maguire [LPGA Drive On Championship] all in the winner’s enclosure, as well as runner-up finishes and some eye-catching performances in major championships.
Power, who competed in major championships for the first time this year, finishing in the top-15 in both the PGA Championship and US open, says Irish golf is on the crest of a wave, and could have further positive implications further down the line.
"Once you see other guys you know win, it gives you a little bit of a boost knowing you can get there yourself," he said.
"Rory and Shance have played amazing golf this year. The golf Rory has played since the summer is incredible and Shane, he didn’t get the win until Wentworth [PGA Championship], but he was high up the standings at the Masters and played well in so many other tournaments.
"It’s great they both got the wins and Padraig has smashing his way through the Champions Tour.
"It’s great for Irish golf. We have Leona Maguire on the LPGA. It's a great time for Irish golf and hopefully it will inspire more junior golf in Ireland.
He is now up to a career-high 32 in the world rankings, eighth on Europe's Ryder Cup points list, and crucially, has a Tour exemption to the end of 2025 and the certainty of starts in the four majors next year.
"When you don’t have the exemption, every year is year-to-year; it’s tough going. I can really focus on practicing and improving and not focusing on that stuff [rankings]. Last year I noticed I was able to play a lot more freely.
"It’s going to be great."
