Seamus Power well off the pace after opening round at the RSM Classic

Seamus Power is 12 shots off the lead after the opening round at The RSM Classic in Georgia.

Playing the Plantation Course on the Sea Island Resort-hosted tournament, the Waterford native never got going on route to a four-over 76.

In a front nine of mixed fortunes, he bogeyed the first and sixth but birdies on the second and eighth had Power at level par at the turn.

However, three bogeys in succession on 11, 12 and 13 had the 37-year-old plummeting down the leaderboard before another dropped shot on the 18th ensured that he will start Friday's second round, which he will play on the Seaside Course, from a tie for 144th.

LEADERBOARD

Maverick McNealy and Michael Thorbjornsen are tied for the lead after the former fired an eight-under-par 62, with one eagle, six birdies and no bogeys on his card.

Thorbjornsen, meanwhile, shot a bogey-free, eight-under 64 at the par-72 course. They will switch courses on Friday before everyone who makes the cut plays the Seaside Course on Saturday and Sunday.

McNealy and Thorbjornsen are one shot ahead of Andrew Novak, who posted a seven-under 65 at the Plantation Course.