Seamus Power of Ireland is stuck on a good number.
The 35-year-old Power recorded a third straight six-under-par 65 in windy conditions and is tied for the lead with rookie Ben Griffin heading to the final round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda.
“Growing up in Ireland, obviously I played in a lot of types of wind, but still it was difficult out there today, especially toward the end of the round,” said Power (pictured), whose only victory on the PGA Tour came in the 2021 Barbasol Championship. “I made one mistake, on No. 13, hitting a shot short and paid for it.
“It was an interesting day, but I played well. You just have to try to keep hitting solid shots in this wind and then get some putts to go in here and there when you can, and I did that. I expect the wind to blow a lot like this again tomorrow, so I just have to be ready for it.
“There are a lot of up-and-downs out here and things are going in the right direction now, so I just want to keep moving forward.”
Power, who also won the 2016 United Leasing & Finance Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, made a double-bogey 6 because of that mistake at No. 13, but collected eight birdies while finishing 54 holes at 18-under 195.
Griffin, who actually quit golf for a short time last year, made six birdies in his 66 and pulled even with Power by making a five-foot birdie putt on the last hole.
“I feel very comfortable out here, coming off some good results on the Korn Ferry Tour and a couple on the PGA Tour recently,” said Griffin, whose only pro victory came in the 2018 Staal Foundation Open on the PGA Tour Canada. “I’m comfortable playing in wind like this because I hit the ball low and keep it in play. I took my old putter out of the bag a few weeks ago, but put it back in this week, and that’s really paid off.
“ … I quit briefly last year because I didn’t have status on the PGA Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour and it’s difficult trying to Monday qualify every week. All credit to my sponsors and the rest of my team for getting me back out here. I was just trying to finish in the top 10 each week so I could qualify for the next week’s tournament.
“Now, I feel like I’m playing well enough to win and I feel like my time is coming, so hopefully I can get it done tomorrow.”
Kevin Yu of Taiwan, 24, who is seeking his first pro victory, birdied the last two holes to cap a 67 and is two strokes behind in a tie for third with Aaron Baddeley of Australia, a Monday qualifier who made three straight birdies through No. 4 to kick-start a 68, while Brian Gay, who won this event in 2020, is one more back in solo fifth following a bogey-free 66.
Said Baddeley, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour: “It was tough out there with the wind, because the ball was moving so much in the air. But I was hitting the ball great and because of that I think I only missed three greens.”
Greyson Sigg had three birdies on each nine in a 66 and is four shots down in a tie for sixth with Thomas Detry of Belgium, who holed out from the fairway on No. 17 for a birdie to shoot 68, while Will Gordon made five birdies on the front nine in a 66 that left him one more back in solo eighth.
Max McGreevy shot a bogey-free 66 and is six strokes behind in a tie for ninth with Justin Lower, whose two late birdies left him at 69; Denny McCarthy, who made four birdies on the front nine in another 69, and Ben Crane, who struggled to a 73 after posting a 62 in the second round.
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