<p>Séamus Power</p>
Séamus Power will be hoping to start a summer surge and stop Scottie Scheffler in his tracks when he returns to action at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas.
The West Waterford man (39) has yet to play his best stuff so far this season and he'll need to find it if he's to get over the line at TPC Craig Ranch, where Scheffler shot 31 under to romp to an eight-shot win last year.
The good news for Power, who yesterday joined Pádraig Harrington and Tom McKibbin in confirming his presence in September's Amgen Irish Open in Doonbeg, is that the course has been toughened up after a $25m overhaul by Lanny Wadkins.
"I think it's a more interesting test," Scheffler said. "The greens have added a significant amount of slope to them, and some are a bit aggressive.
"You definitely have to think your way around this place a lot more than you did before."
Power is ranked 112th in the FedExCup standings, and a good week in Dallas would help him in his quest to make the top 100, who will be fully exempt for 2027, before he returns home for the Irish Open at Donald Trump's Co Clare resort.
"Being based in America, I can't wait to come back and hopefully create some pretty special memories close to home," Power said.
"This week is such a highlight of my year. It has an amazing atmosphere, with fans who get behind you after every shot, and it just keeps getting better year on year with the support of Amgen."
The DP World Tour is in Belgium this week with home hero Nicolas Colsaerts (43) making the final appearance of his career in the Soudal Open at Rinkven International Golf Club.
On the HotelPlanner Tour, 16th-ranked Gary Hurley and 20th-ranked Max Kennedy head a 10-strong Irish challenge in the Danish Golf Challenge at Odense Eventyr Golf, while on the Ladies European Tour, Annabel Wilson, Sara Byrne, Aine Donegan and Anna Foster play the 54-hole Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Morocco.
Meanwhile, Kirkistown Castle's Beth Coulter is the only non-English player named in the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 44th Curtis Cup match at Bel-Air Country Club from June 12-14.
Coulter helped GB&I claim a 10.5-9.5 victory at Sunningdale in 2024 and Catriona Matthew returns as Captain seeking a first away win for GB&I since 1986.
While Elm Park's Emma Fleming is second reserve, Coulter and Patience Rhodes return to the team alongside Sophia Fullbrook, Lily Hirst, Isla McDonald-O'Brien, Charlotte Naughton, Nellie Ong and Davina Xanh.
Article Link: Doonbeg-bound Power takes on Scheffler in Dallas - News - Irish Golf Desk