Seamus Power Struggles at Bank of Utah Championship, Five Shots Back

Seamus Power is currently positioned five shots off the lead at the Bank of Utah Championship, held at the Black Desert Resort. The golfer from Waterford posted a score of one under par 70 in his opening round, placing him in a tie for 55th at the tournament.

Power’s round featured birdies on the seventh, ninth, and tenth holes, which initially boosted his performance. Unfortunately, he encountered difficulties shortly thereafter, recording bogeys on the 11th, 13th, and 14th holes. Despite these setbacks, the 38-year-old finished on a positive note, securing a birdie on the final hole of the day.

Championship Context and Performance Pressure

The Bank of Utah Championship is significant for Power as it represents one of the final four events on the PGA Tour that could determine his eligibility for the 2026 season. Currently, he is outside the top 125 players in the FedEx Rankings, sitting at 135th. With this ranking, he faces the risk of losing his tour card unless his performance improves in the upcoming tournaments.

At the top of the leaderboard, the competition is fierce. The lead is shared by three players: Thorbjørn Olesen from Denmark, Jesper Svensson of Sweden, and David Lipsky from the United States, all of whom are at six under par. With several players still on the course, the dynamics of the leaderboard may shift as the tournament progresses.

As Power continues his campaign in Utah, all eyes will be on his ability to rebound from today’s challenges. Each round is crucial as he seeks to secure his status on the PGA Tour for the coming seasons.