Séamus Power Struggles on the Greens as Davis Riley Surges Ahead at Windy Sony Open
It was a tough day at the office for Séamus Power, whose putter went cold at the worst possible time during Saturday’s third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii. Battling gusty conditions at Waialae Country Club, Power carded a two-over 72 that dropped him into a tie for 62nd - a full 12 shots off the pace set by Davis Riley.
Power’s round was defined by frustration on the greens. He needed 36 putts to get through 18 holes, and the damage started early.
After opening with a par, the West Waterford native four-putted from 56 feet on the par-4 second, walking off with a deflating double bogey. That early stumble set the tone for a round where nothing seemed to drop.
To his credit, Power bounced back with a birdie at the par-3 fourth, draining an eight-footer to claw one shot back. But any momentum he might’ve built fizzled quickly.
Over the next four holes, he had birdie looks from inside 15 feet - makeable chances in most conditions - but couldn’t convert. Missed opportunities piled up, and bogeys at 10 and 14 only added to the frustration.
He did finish with a birdie, but the numbers told the story: Power lost 4.4 strokes to the field with the putter on Saturday alone.
While Power was grinding, Davis Riley was thriving. The 27-year-old leaned on a red-hot flatstick to navigate the swirling winds and fast greens, posting a three-under 67 to grab a two-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. Riley birdied four of his final seven holes and now sits at 12-under, ahead of a chasing pack that includes Harry Hall (66), Chris Gotterup (68), and Kevin Roy (69).
Riley’s putting has been a difference-maker all week. Through three rounds, he’s gained more than 11 strokes on the field with the putter - a staggering number that underscores just how dialed in he’s been on Waialae’s tricky greens.
“You’ve got to make some gritty pars in these conditions,” Riley said after the round. “Just try to make some putts on these fast greens in crosswinds - it’s tough putting out here when you get a chance.” That grit was on display at the 18th, where he ran a 60-foot eagle try eight feet past the hole - then calmly drained the comebacker for birdie.
As for Power, he’ll tee it up in Sunday’s final round alongside Tom Kim, hoping to salvage some momentum before heading to La Quinta next week for The American Express - where World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is set to make his 2026 debut.
The Sony Open hasn’t gone Power’s way, but with a long season ahead, there’s still plenty of time to find form. For now, though, it’s Riley’s tournament to lose - and if his putter stays hot, he might just run away with it.