Seamus Power has taken a gigantic leap towards a major tournament debut next month having emphatically defeated Sungjae Im in his first match at the WGC Matchplay in Austin, Texas.
The Touraneena man had a steady front nine, but coasted away from his opponent in a five-hole spell to take the tie 5 & 4.
Furthermore to his advantage, the other clash in group 4 between Patrick Cantlay and Keith Mitchell ended all square.
Two up after Im bogeyed the opening two holes, the 35-year-old birdied the ninth to make the turn two to the good before four birdies on the spin at the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th to claim a priceless win.
The top 50 in the world on Monday will get invitations to Augusta and following his opening round win, Seamus is now projected to be 45th come then.
After putting a point on the board, he can make the Masters his first major by finishing first or second in the group.
His next task this evening isn't an easy one by any means, as he faces world number four, Patrick Cantlay.
Shane Lowry meanwhile has work to do, he lost out to Harold Varner III and faces South Africa's Eric Van Rooyen today, in need of a victory.
