Séamus Power Struggles in Third Round as Si Woo Kim Holds Lead at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Irish golfer Séamus Power faced a challenging Saturday at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas, finishing with a level par 71 to remain tied for 29th place heading into the final round. The Waterford native had shown promise earlier in the tournament, climbing as high as a tie for 12th after a bogey-free 65 in the second round.
Fluctuating Performance in Third Round
Power’s third-round performance saw a mix of ups and downs. After an early bogey on the second hole, he bounced back with a birdie on the par-five fifth. However, consecutive bogeys on holes six and seven stalled his progress. A birdie on the ninth hole helped him regain a stroke, though the back nine proved inconsistent. A bogey on the 11th was followed by a birdie, while a later bogey on the 15th set him back again. Power closed strong with back-to-back birdies on the final two holes, finishing the day at 11 under par.
Si Woo Kim Maintains Lead Amid Competitive Field
Despite Power’s efforts, the tournament’s top spot remained firmly held by South Korean golfer Si Woo Kim. The overnight leader saw his five-shot advantage shrink to just two shots after a strong performance from Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark. Both Scheffler and Clark carded 65s in the third round, finishing tied for second at 19 under par.
Kim recovered from a mid-round slump to post a 68, featuring six birdies. Scheffler, the defending champion and world number one, remained composed with only one bogey on the par-three fourth. Clark’s standout moment came with an eagle on the par-five ninth. Meanwhile, Stephan Jaeger, Sungjae Im, and Tom Hoge are tied for fourth at 17 under, with Jaeger recording the day’s best round of 64.
Key Takeaways from the Tournament
- Leadership Shifts: Kim’s ability to maintain his lead despite challenges from Scheffler and Clark highlights his resilience.
- Consistency Matters: Players like Jaeger and Clark demonstrated the importance of steady performance in a competitive field.
- Power’s Path Forward: With a 10-shot deficit, Power will need a strong final round to improve his position.
The final round promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, with Kim looking to secure his first
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