Xinjun Zhang takes commanding lead at Dormie Network Classic at Briggs Ranch

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Xinjun Zhang continued his dominant play and extended his lead to five shots on Saturday at the Dormie Network Classic at Briggs Ranch. Zhang followed his opening rounds of 63-64 with a 7-under 65 on Saturday, good for a three-day total of 24-under 192.

Zhang began the day with three consecutive pars before birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. After a par on the par-4 sixth, Zhang took advantage of the par-5 seventh making an eagle. Zhang suffered a bogey on No. 9 but immediately rebounded with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11. Zhang added two birdies down the stretch on Nos. 14 and 17 to close out his round.

“I stayed patient and kept the positive mentality throughout the round,” Zhang said. “I hit my irons really well today. We haven’t been able to make any birdies coming down the stretch this week. We were able to make one on No. 17 and I hit it really well on No. 18 and just missed the putt, but overall we played those last four much better today.”

With a victory, Zhang would move to No. 1 in The 25 standings and earn an additional 500 Web.com Tour Points, all but guaranteeing his return to the PGA TOUR. It is estimated that players with 830 points or more at the end of the Regular Season will likely earn their PGA TOUR card. Zhang made 28 starts in his rookie TOUR campaign during the 2017-18 season.

“I’m definitely excited and the hard work is finally paying off,” Zhang said. “These past couple of years with the long hours on the range, putting green and in the gym are finally started to show some rewards.”

Zhang often practices with fellow Web.com Tour member Marty Dou, who won the first event of the season at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay. The two constantly motivate each other to play their best golf. Both Dou and Zhang earned PGA TOUR cards during the 2017 Web.com Tour season. Zhang credits Dou for motivating him to think more aggressively.

“Marty motivates me a lot,” Zhang said. “Marty has the ‘I’m going to win’ mentality when he plays. Before, I would have the mentality of just getting a top-10, but now I’m starting to have that same mentality to win now.”

Lanto Griffin sits in second place after surging up the leaderboard on Saturday shooting his second consecutive 7-under 65. Griffin got off to a hot start in the third round with birdies on Nos. 1, 3 and 5. He rebounded after a bogey on the par-4 sixth with an eagle on the par-5 seventh and a birdie on No. 8. After a stretch of pars, Griffin closed out his round with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 to finish five shots off the lead.

“I just kept it in front of myself,” Griffin said. “It got a little windier today and I just wanted to play solidly. I didn’t take advantage of the par-5s on the back which was frustrating, but that made me focus the last couple of holes. I wanted to get two birdies on the last four and No. 15 is a tough par-3, so I was able to par that and birdie Nos. 16 and 18.”

Griffin defeated Robby Shelton in a playoff last week to win the inaugural Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship. The former PGA TOUR member earned his TOUR card through the 2017 Web.com Tour Regular Season and looks to keep his momentum going into the final round.

“When you win and you’re playing well, you have to ride the momentum,” Griffin said. “Golf is a big game of momentum, and if I come out here and lose focus, all that momentum goes away. I’m more focused this week than I was last week. I’m in a good space with my swing and putting, and it helps that this course really fits my eye well.”

Steven Alker is alone in third place after shooting a 3-under 69 on Saturday, while Ryan Brehm is one stroke behind in solo-fourth. Brett Drewitt, Chase Seiffert and Charlie Saxon sit T5 at 15-under 201.

Final-round tee times will run from 7:10 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. on Sunday.