Northern Michigan reminded the Epson Tour that it's not quite officially summer yet, with chilly and wet conditions dominating Friday's first round. Birdies were out there on the Heather Course at the Highlands, but the field of 144 saw their fair share of bogeys, too. At the end of the day, one person separated themselves from the rest of the field, and that was rookie Laney Frye.

Frye's start to the round was anything but ideal. A bogey on the par-4 1st gave the University of Kentucky alum ground to make up, but she did that quickly, immediately getting birdies back on the second and third holes. The opening blemish was her only of the day, going bogey-free in the remaining 17 holes to sign for a 6-under, 66.

"I guess the bogey on one felt so stupid," said Frye. "It wasn't really a called for bogey, and from that point on, I tried to keep it in play off the tee, and I was in a good position, so lots of greens were hit. I was out of position once and was able to save that par, but it was pretty straightforward out there."

The 22-year-old has had quite the rookie season so far, making seven consecutive cuts and only finishing outside the top 25 three times.

Despite notching a season-best T5 finish at the Reliance Matrix Championship presented by Epson, Frye has only yet had experience chasing the leader rather than being the leader. Still, consistent golf – and good golf, for that matter – is proving to the rookie, and everyone else, that she belongs in the professional ranks, competing against the best in the world.

"It's not totally unexpected," said Frye. "The past couple of rounds have been frustrating. I've had look after look, and I'm not really making much. So to have a day where it kind of feels like the pieces fall into place, it is satisfying. I feel like the work is kind of paying off, and hopefully, there's a lot more of it."

Epson Tour veteran Clariss Guce is hot on Frye's tail, just one shot behind the rookie, in perfect striking distance for Saturday's Moving Day. Guce's round saw no blemishes on the scorecard despite the day feeling difficult for everyone due to the conditions.

The Filipino went low on her front nine, the course's back nine, making two birdies and a lone eagle on the par-5 15th, giving her a big confidence boost going into her most dreaded hole, No. 18.

"It definitely made me feel better getting an eagle before I go up 18. I felt like as soon as I got through 18, I could breathe a little bit," said Guce. "But I think just having a good start gives you a bit more breathing room, and it gives you the luxury just to be nicer to yourself on the other nine when the weather is rough."

The closing nine consisted of eight pars and a birdie, marking a clean scorecard for Guce.

Two Epson Tour winners, Gina Kim and Valery Plata, are sitting in third. The duo signed for 4-under rounds, with Kim going bogey-free and Plata making seven birdies and three bogeys on the day. Knowing what it takes to win on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA, both athletes are strong contenders to make a move on Saturday.

The second round will begin at 7:30 a.m. local time, with a cut being made to the top-60 and ties following play.

Laney Frye Fires Low Morning Round to Take Early Lead at the Great Lakes Championship

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