Top 10 power rankings in 2022 The American Express

Even before his career took off like it has the past year or so, Seamus Power was still playing good golf in Palm Springs. In his tournament debut, Power posted T-21st (67-70-71-69) in 2017 and improved to T-11th (70-66-65-70) in 2018.

This is the Irishman’s first time back at The American Express since 2019. More important than a couple of top-25s at this event are his slew of high finishes that helped him crack the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time this week.

The latest was a T-3rd last week at the Sony Open. Power couldn’t quite enter the discussion to contend with Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Henley at Waialae, but Power will still gladly take a $442,500 check. Getting more reps under the gun like this will do wonders.

Even at age 34, Power is still encountering new scenarios out on tour.

“Georgia in the fall was the first time I played in the last group on a Sunday, so that was kind of cool,” Power was transcribed by ASAP Sports. “Second to the last group today, so you definitely do get used to it. There were huge crowds behind us following Hideki, so it takes some getting used to. You kind of got to wait for the crowd to stop and go and that stuff. But, yeah, that’s a problem I’ll happily learn to deal with.”

Power was referring to the RSM Classic where he earned T-4th. When he won last year at the Barbasol Championship, it was done in comeback fashion in alternate field event. Trying to erase a big deficit against Henley and the reigning Master’s champ was a whole other animal.

That’s not to say Power can’t hang with the big names. Last summer, he ripped off five straight top-20s at full-field events. It was a shame Power didn’t get a chance to play any of the four majors last year. That will change in 2022. He’ll be building toward Augusta if he can maintain his top 50 status. I envision that happening, starting with a top-10 here in California.