Power hoping for windier test in Kapalua

Seamus Power. Picture: Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

SÉAMUS POWER admits he "loves" the Plantation Course at Kapalua but he's not expecting another record-breaking week of scoring in the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

The West Waterford star (35) made the 39-man field for the second time thanks to his win in last October's Butterfield Bermuda Championship.

But after finishing 14 shots behind Cameron Smith in tied 15th last year, he's hoping the wind blows as he seeks a massive $2.7 million payday.

"It was crazy last year," said Power, who tees it up in a 39-man field featuring 29 of last year's winners — Rory McIlroy is the only absentee —and 10 non-winners who made the Tour Championship.

"In the second round, I was tied for the lead on my 15th hole, shot nine or 10 or under for the last 39 holes, and ended up losing by 14. The scoring was remarkable. But there was no wind and it was very soft, so there wasn't really much to protect the course.

“Matt Jones had crazy scores over the weekend (62-61 to finish two behind Smith on 32-under).

“The scoring was was insane but I'd imagine thee chances are it'll be back to being  firmer and windier this year so hopefully it'll be a little bit of a test.

“It's never going to be the hardest course in the world. It's a resort course with big huge fairways but at least the wind would make it somewhat of a challenge.”

Open champion Smith has since defected to LIV Golf. But 23 of the world's top 30, including last year's runner-up Jon Rahm and 2022 Major winners Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Matthew Fitzpatrick, all play.