Brixi creates three-shot cushion at New Year's Invitational

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2018) – A leaderboard shakeup in the third round of the New Year’s Invitational saw second-round co-leader Greyson Porter tumble to a tie for sixth while Gordan Brixi rose to the top spot. In fact, Brixi will take a three-shot lead into the final round at St. Petersburg Country Club.

Brixi had a 4-under 68 in the third round that was the best score of any competitor on Saturday. He birdied his final two holes to increase his lead on Sampson-yunhe Zheng, who shared the lead with Porter after two rounds.

The 16-year-old Brixi finished seventh at this event last year. The Czech Republic native, who resides in Potomac, Md., played an international schedule in 2018, highlighted by a win at the Kram Junior Open in Poland.

As for Zheng, of Kissimmee, Fla., a third-round 74 was just enough to leave him in the mix. Zheng had top-40 finishes in 2018 at the Rolex Tournament of Champions and the Ping Invitational, both AJGA events.

Graysen Huff and Jordan Batchelor are tied for third at 2 under. Both had rounds of 1-over 73 on Saturday.

Joe Lyons is solo fifth at 1 under.

Porter, meanwhile, is part of a five-man tie for sixth at even par, six shots off the pace. Porter, the recent Orlando International Amateur champion who plays for Florida State, had too many big numbers on the card Thursday, starting with a double bogey at the first. It resulted in a 77.

A year ago, Porter finished this event tied for first with Hayden Buckley but lost the title in a playoff.