Another 15-year-old On Top at the Middle Atlantic Amateur

September 23, 2017 | by Middle Atlantic Golf Association

Gordon Brixi (inset) has a four shot lead with one round to go at Laurel Hill GC

First it was Michael Brennan, now it's Gordon Brixi leading by four as the teenagers take over at Laurel Hill Golf Club

LORTON, VA (September 23, 2017) - Gordan Brixi, one of four 15-year-olds in the field for the 111th Middle Atlantic Amateur championship, used a second straight 4-under-par 67 to break away from his closest challengers and open a four-shot lead at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Va., September 23. Brixi, from Potomac, Md., fired a front-nine 31 to highlight his card, and finished with a 54-hole total of 206.

Heading into the final round, his pursuers include second-round leader Michael Brennan, Leesburg, Va., another of the talented 15-year-olds, who slipped back to 74 after opening 69-67, and Scott Shingler, who completed a trifecta with his third successive 70 for 210 and a tie with Brennan. Brennan’s yo-yo round included two birdies and two unplayables.

Related: Middle Atlantic Amateur: 15-Year-Old Leads By Three Shots

Jon Moles, Frederick, Md., was tied with Shingler at the start of the round, but could not keep up with playing companions Brixi and Brennan, falling away to 78 and 218.

From the top three, it was four strokes back to Matthew Feinstein, 17, from McLean, Va., who shot 71 to move into fourth at 214, followed by Kevin Johnson, also 17, Bethesda, Md., with a 72 for 215.

Brixi took charge of the 6,880-yard, par 36-35–71 layout in southern Fairfax County with his front nine play, as he opened birdie-birdie and chipped in for another at the fourth. He took care of the two par-5’s with birds, then moved to the back nine, where he played the first six holes even with two birdies, two bogeys before closing the round with a bogey for 31-36.

“I feel good about my round, but there’s always room for improvement,” he said. Brixi, who hits his driver about 285 yards, said he hit most of the fairways and greens, where his birdie putts were all from inside 10-12 feet. His best competitive score is 66.

After eight rounds in the 60’s the first two days, there were only two the third. John Brundred, from Congressional CC, joined Brixi with a 68, following 78-71 for a three-day total of 217. His tour included an eagle-3 at the 525-yard fifth, plus four birdies and three bogeys. He ended it with a birdie at the 562-yard 18th.

Final-round tee times will be from 8 a.m. to 11:29 a.m., with the leaders going last.

Results: Middle Atlantic Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Michael Brennan	Leesburg, VA	300	69-67-74-69=279
2	Scott Shingler	Haymarket, VA	200	70-70-70-69=279
3	Gordan Brixi	Potomac, MD	100	72-67-67-76=282
4	Matthew Feinstein	McLean, VA	100	70-73-71-70=284
5	Parker Williams	Bethesda, MD	100	77-71-71-68=287

View full results for Middle Atlantic Amateur

About the Middle Atlantic Amateur

Another 15-year-old On Top at the Middle Atlantic Amateur

54-hole stroke play championship. The field is cut to the low 60 scores and ties after round two. Open to members of member clubs of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association, and by invitation.