Brixi takes 3-shot Middle Atlantic Am lead at 36-hole mark

ROCKVILLE, Md. (Oct. 5, 2018) – Gordan Brixi backed up his opening 70 at Lakewood Country Club with a 68 on Friday to seize the lead in the 112th Middle Atlantic Amateur. Brixi effectively created a three-shot advantage to take into the final round.

Cool temps, an overcast sky, and a touch of wind stood in stark contrast to the mid-summer conditions experienced Thursday. Lakewood’s greens were continued to firm up and gain speed, which combined with very difficult rough, kept the field from posting many low scores. The golf course played to a step under 7,000 yards and a par of 72.

As for Brixi, Friday’s circumstances are somewhat familiar. The 16-year-old led this tournament by four shots last year at the 54-hole mark. Back then, Brixi was one of four 15-year-olds in the field. Another then-15-year-old, Michael Brennan, ended up walking away with the title. Brixi finished an eventual third.

Billy Wingerd, who had the lead after a first-round 68, slipped on Friday with a 73. Brennan, the defending champion, and Ryan Muthiora are at 143 and tied for third.

Jeff Long rounds out the top 5 after rounds of back-to-back 72 for an even-par 144 total.

Information from the MAGA used in this report