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.
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.