Seamus Power made a major move at the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Friday, October 23, firing a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 to strengthen his chances of retaining full PGA Tour playing privileges for the 2027 season.
The 39-year-old Irishman recorded seven birdies at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, reaching 12-under-par 130 after two rounds.
Power, who won the Bermuda Championship in 2022, entered this week’s tournament ranked 103rd in the FedExCup Fall standings, just outside the top 100 required to secure full-field eligibility for next season.
His impressive second round moved him into the early clubhouse lead alongside Canada’s Corey Conners, although the afternoon groups were still competing.
The performance represents a significant opportunity for Power, whose future tournament schedule could depend on how he finishes the remaining FedExCup Fall events.
Seamus Power Delivers Seven-Birdie Round at Port Royal
Power began Friday’s second round on the 10th tee after opening the championship with a five-under-par 66.
He made a steady start, recording his first birdie at the par-3 13th hole.
Further birdies followed at the par-5 17th and the par-4 18th, allowing him to complete his opening nine holes at three under par.
The Irishman then accelerated on his second nine.
After making pars at the first and second holes, Power produced consecutive birdies at the par-3 third and par-4 fourth.
He added another birdie at the sixth before finishing his round with a final birdie at the ninth.
The result was a seven-under 64 featuring seven birdies, 11 pars and no bogeys.
It was a particularly important improvement after Power’s late mistakes during Thursday’s opening round.
Power Recovers From First-Round Frustration
Power’s opening round had initially suggested he might challenge for the first-day lead.
He was seven under par through 14 holes on Thursday before encountering difficulties over the closing stretch.
Bogeys at the 15th and 16th holes reduced his score to five under.
He then missed a birdie opportunity at the 17th and finished with another par, signing for a 66.
Despite the late setbacks, the score left Power tied for 20th and four strokes behind first-round leader Chandler Blanchet, who shot a nine-under 62.
Friday brought a different outcome.
Power maintained his scoring momentum without making the mistakes that had interrupted his opening round.
His improved putting was especially important, with the Irish Times reporting that he converted five birdie putts from distances between 10 and 20 feet.
That consistency helped him move rapidly up the leaderboard.
Seamus Power Faces Crucial FedExCup Fall Test
Power’s performance carries particular significance because of his position in the FedExCup standings.
The Waterford golfer began the Butterfield Bermuda Championship ranked 103rd, three places outside the top 100.
Under the PGA Tour’s eligibility system, players who finish the FedExCup Fall season inside the top 100 secure full-field playing status for 2027.
Those finishing between 101st and 150th receive conditional status, meaning their opportunities to compete may be more limited.
For Power, securing a place inside the top 100 would provide greater certainty about his competitive schedule next season.
The Irishman has already won twice on the PGA Tour, but previous success does not automatically remove the importance of the current standings.
His two PGA Tour titles came at the 2021 Barbasol Championship and the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
The Bermuda victory remains especially relevant because it was his most recent PGA Tour win.
A strong finish this week could improve his ranking significantly, although his final position will depend on his tournament result and the performances of other players.
Bermuda Championship Holds Special Memories for Power
Port Royal Golf Course has already played an important role in Power’s professional career.
He captured the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship with a 19-under-par total, finishing one stroke ahead of Belgium’s Thomas Detry.
The victory gave him his second PGA Tour title and reinforced his ability to produce low scores on the coastal layout.
The course measures 6,828 yards and plays to a par of 71.
Although shorter than many PGA Tour venues, Port Royal is known for its exposed setting, elevation changes and vulnerability to Atlantic winds.
Players must manage their ball flight carefully when conditions deteriorate.
Power’s previous success gives him valuable experience at the course, but his performance this week is also supported by encouraging recent results.
He finished tied for seventh at the Biltmore Championship Asheville and tied for 21st at the Bank of Utah Championship before arriving in Bermuda.
Those performances suggested an improvement in form during a particularly important stage of the season.
Corey Conners Joins Power at 12 Under
Power was not the only player producing a strong second-round performance.
Canadian Corey Conners followed Thursday’s eight-under 63 with a four-under 67 on Friday.
That moved Conners to the same 12-under-par total as Power through 36 holes.
England’s David Skinns also made an impressive move, recording an eight-under 63 to reach 11 under.
At the time Power and Conners completed their rounds, several other contenders were still playing.
Chandler Blanchet, who led after the opening round, remained among the players capable of changing the leaderboard.
Japanese golfer Kensei Hirata was also moving into contention.
The final second-round standings could therefore differ from the early clubhouse positions.
For Power, the most important confirmed result was already secure: a bogey-free 64 and a 12-under total heading into the weekend.
Can Power Challenge for Another Bermuda Championship Title?
Power’s second-round performance has created the possibility of another strong finish at Port Royal.
His ability to recover from Thursday’s late errors and deliver seven birdies without a bogey is an encouraging sign.
The Irishman has demonstrated that he can manage the course, and his previous victory provides a reminder of what he has achieved in Bermuda.
However, the championship remains competitive, with numerous players capable of producing low scores.
Changing weather conditions could also become a factor over the final two rounds.
The PGA Tour event continues on Saturday, October 24, before concluding on Sunday, October 25.
Power will be seeking to maintain his consistency while taking advantage of opportunities to move closer to the tournament title.
What Seamus Power’s Performance Means for 2027
For Power, the final result could be more consequential than a conventional strong tournament finish.
His current position in the FedExCup standings means that every point gained during the remaining fall events may influence his opportunities next season.
A full PGA Tour card would provide more dependable tournament access and greater control over his schedule.
Conditional status would create additional uncertainty.
Power has already shown that he remains capable of competing near the top of a PGA Tour leaderboard.
His second-round 64 gives him another opportunity to demonstrate that ability when the pressure is high.
Final Thoughts
Seamus Power’s bogey-free 64 was one of the notable performances during Friday’s second round of the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Seven birdies lifted the Irish golfer to 12 under after 36 holes, placing him firmly in contention at a course where he previously celebrated a PGA Tour victory.
The performance also came at an important moment in his battle to remain inside the PGA Tour’s fully exempt category for 2027.
With two rounds remaining, Power has an opportunity to turn an impressive comeback into both a potentially significant tournament finish and a valuable improvement in his FedExCup standing.
Sources: Golf Channel, October 23, 2026; RTÉ Sport; The Irish Times; and the official PGA Tour leaderboard.