Seamus keen to power on to tour

Seamus Power has the game to play on tour. All he needs now is a break. West Waterford’s Seamus Power is ready to show the world he’s got the game and the attitude to become break into the big time.

Eight years after he played in the Irish Open at Carton House as a raw 18-year old amateur and missed the cut, he’s back alongside former Ireland team mate Rory McIlroy hoping to take a giant step forward in his career.

A two-time winner on the eGolf Professional Tour - a mini tour in the US - he feels the time has come to rub shoulders with the big boys and show the world that he can play at the highest level.

“It’s great to be here again but as a professional this time,” said the 26-year old. “I am really looking forward to it. I’ve been close to getting my card for the Web.com tour a couple of times and just missed out but the eGolf Tour has been a good training ground for me.

“It’s not where you want to be but for the time being it will do I guess. Unless something special happens this week, I am gong to go back and play the eGolf for the next few months and the chances are that I am going to do both the US and the European Tour Qualifying Schools this year.

“You can’t get your PGA Tour card through the US Q-School any more so I am looking at coming over to try in Europe because it fits in.

“The Web.com Tour is still a great tour but the bottom line is getting a card somewhere.”

Ranked seventh on the eGolf Tour’s money list thanks to two second place finishes this term, Power knows it’s time to move on.

He said: “The eGolf Tour is great but you are playing for your own money every week so it’s not ideal.

“You try to be patient and work as hard as you can but I look at guys that I grew up playing against as an amateur and see them showing up on TV.

“Obviously I’ve played with Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy but even in college golf there are a lot of guys I knew who are on the PGA Tour now and that definitely makes you more determined.

“I played against the likes of Dustin Johnson in college so it shows you that it can be done. But it also makes it tough to stay as patient.”

After missing the cut by eight shots in 2005, Power is ready to step it up this time around.

“I’ll obviously be aiming for a bigger week this week,” he said with a grin. “The course is great and the rough is not too bad at all. You can usually move it pretty well but you have to stay out of those bunkers. They are just brutal.”