Mystic Creek Golf Club plays as one of the most challenging golf courses on the Epson Tour year in and year out since joining the schedule nine years ago. This year is no different, with only 23 players breaking par on the day. Two-time Epson Tour winner Jenny Bae turned in the day's low round, who carded a 6-under 66 to hold a 1-shot lead over rookie Hailee Cooper. Three players sit 2-shots behind Bae at 4-under heading into round two.

After storming onto the scene early in her rookie season, Bae has had a solid sophomore season on the Epson Tour. The 23-year-old won twice in her first three starts on Tour but fell just short of securing her LPGA Tour card for 2024. Bae is currently No. 25 in the Race for the Card rankings, with a win projecting her to move to No. 6, well within the coveted top 15.

The 6-under scorecard was bogey-free for the University of Georgia grad, rolling in four birdies on her opening nine and closing with two more birdies on her second nine. The first-round 66 was her second-best opening score of the season while also entering the week, coming off of two straight top 10 finishes. Over her previous six rounds on Tour, Bae has not turned in a score over par, with her 6-under round extending the streak to seven, and she did so stress-free.

"Honestly, you could say that it was almost a stress-free round, and I think my new caddie was definitely a lot of help," said Bae. "It would be a really special moment to get my third win here. Also, it would definitely bring my confidence up heading into the Epson Tour Championship, and hopefully, be able to get my card for next year. So, I'm really excited, and hopefully, everything goes well tomorrow."

Cooper also turned in a bogey-free opening round, falling just 1-shot behind Bae in round one. The rookie hit all 18 greens in regulation to start her tournament, getting around the course with ease and little stress. She began her day on the back nine with back-to-back birdies to get her momentum up early. Another birdie followed on her fifth hole of the day, and it would be her last before making the turn. Cooper rolled in another birdie to start her second nine and then another on No. 4 to get her to 5-under on the day. The 24-year-old would close her round with five straight pars to end her impressive first 18 holes.

"I didn't miss a green. I don't know how many fairways I hit, but it was quite a few. I just really couldn't miss a shot," said Cooper. "It was just a good ball-striking day. I hit it really well, and I made some putts that mattered. It's a really tough golf course, and I was very grateful for what it's giving me. I was like, hey, take what you can get and go into tomorrow and just be positive, grateful, and thankful."

The second round of the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout will begin at 7:30 a.m. local time, with players going off holes 1 and 10 until 1:28 p.m. local time. The cut will be made to the top 60 and ties after the conclusion of round two.

ABOUT THE LEADER

Jenny Bae turned in a bogey-free 6-under 66 to hold the lead after one day of play

Her 6-under 66 was her second lowest opening round of the season
Bae is a two-time champion on the Epson Tour
- She won back-to-back events during her rookie season in 2023
She has five top 10 finishes this year
- Her best placing was fourth at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic
- She has made 14 of 16 cuts this season
Bae won the 2023 Inkster Award presented by Workday while attending the University of Georgia

THINGS TO KNOW

Kenzie Wright carded a 4-under 68 in the first round of the Murphy USA El Dorado Classic

Wright had four birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys in her opening round
The 4-under 68 matches her best opening round of the season
The 27-year-old has one top-10 finish this season
- She finished T5 at the Otter Creek Championship
Wright earned all-American honors while attending the University of Alabama

Brooke Matthews signed for a 3-under 69 for round one

Matthews shot a 4-under 32 on her back nine
She is currently ranked No. 5 in the Race for the Card
The Arkansas native has two top-5 finishes in her last three starts
- She has made seven straight cuts on the Epson Tour
Matthews attended the University of Arkansas where she earned All-SEC and All-American honors
- She also represented team USA in the 2021 Curtis Cup

QUICK QUOTES

Brooke Matthews (-3, T6) on her impressive run of form and how her game feels after round one:

“I feel like I'm managing what I have. Front nine was a little dicey for me. Wasn't quite hitting it where I was looking. I was just hanging in there. Pars on this course will take you a long way. It's a really tough one. Hit my driver really well on the back nine and got some putts to drop. Then 18 was able to get one more.”

Emma Broze (-2, T10) on how you need to approach Mystic Creek Golf Club:

“You got to keep it smart and make the right play at the right moment. You can’t win the tournament, but you can lose it on the first day. So, it's nice to shoot 2-under. It feels good and I wish I made more putts, but I think it's everybody's dream. Just keep it simple, play smart, and get some time to recover, then get ready for tomorrow afternoon.”

Madison Young (-2, T10) on her 2-under opening round:

“It feels really good. I stuck really hard to my process. The last few weeks I've been playing really good golf and putts weren’t dropping. Honestly, it's good to make putts out here, so I'm happy with the 2-under.”

Jenny Bae on the Hunt for Career Win Number Three at Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout

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