Power Play 

TULSA, OKLAHOMA | A year ago, you could be excused for knowing little about Seamus Power other than he was an Irish professional competing on the PGA Tour in the U.S. Actually, you might not have known even that. In which case you certainly would not have known that Power (35) was world racquetball champion at the age of 11 and can throw a golf ball up in the air and hit it 200 yards right- or left-handed with the same club just by turning the club around. Oh, yes, and this time last year, he was 342nd in the world ranking.

Seamus Power, left, plays a practice round alongside Pádraig Harrington, Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy. Photo: Scott Michaux, Global Golf Post

Look at him now, up to 42nd in the world, laughing and smiling and looking at ease in the company of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Pádraig Harrington, three countrymen and former Open champions, during a practice round on the eve of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills. On an overcast day that was cool by Oklahoma standards, there was a lot of good-natured banter when...