US DURAMED FUTURES TOUR REPORT

Rookie Mina Harigae breaks Lost Marsh

record with seven-under-par 65

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Rookie Mina Harigae of Monterey, California, fired a seven-under-par 65 during the first round of the $100,000 Horseshoe Casino Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Course, setting a new women’s course record at the Indiana venue
Harigae, who started on the back nine, carded a bogey-free round with five birdies coming in early in her day.
"The five birdies on my first nine really gave me confidence for the rest of the day," recalled Harigae, who also carded two birdies on the front nine, which was her second nine holes today. "I had a long putt [30 feet] for birdie on 14, which I hit off the green. It was really a gift."
Harigae is already a two-time winner on the Duramed Futures Tour this year, winning back-to-back the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge in Marion, Iowa, and the Michelob Uultra Duramed Futures Players Championship in Decatur, Illinois.
After finishing last week's Duramed Championship in Mason, Ohio, tied for 20th, Harigae took some time to rest before heading to Indiana.
"I feel rejuvenated and really had the energy to practise this week," said Harigae. "Having won two in a row, it has taught me to just relax and play my game. I have a new attitude in that I now take this as more of a job. I just want to go low and play the best that I can."
Sharing a three-way tie for second at three strokes back on 68 are Christina Jones of Jensen Beach, Florida, Sara Brown of Tucson, Arizona, and Seo-Jae Lee from Seoul, South Korea. All three carded six birdies and two bogeys during their rounds.
Fellow rookie Jones said she woke up feeling as if this would be her day. "I just felt good," said Jones, who recorded 16 top-10 finishes, including three wins, while at the University of South Florida. "I can't explain it because I've felt that way before and I haven't shot 68. Things were just going my way."
Jones scored her first birdie of the day on the third hole.
"I hit a 3-wood to 12 feet, and I just thought, 'sweet'," recalls Jones. "I was glad to be starting off so good, because I had been struggling at past tournaments."
Brown credits two men today for her low round -- her dad and Lost Marsh head pro Don Plohg.
"I asked my dad to caddie for me today about one minute before my round started, because I knew I could talk to him and he did help me a lot today," said Brown, who recorded four wins in collegiate competition while at Michigan State University.
"I was paired with Don during the pro-am earlier this week. I have to give him credit because he really helped me with my putting."
Brown needed only 23 putts for the day, and hit 10 greens and 11 fairways in regulation.
Lee, who also had her dad on her bag, was relieved to record five birdies on the back nine.
"I had a really bad start today, and I was 1-over at the turn," said Lee, who is a former member of the LPGA tour. "I liked the back nine better, as I had a better short game."
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Weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s and winds between 10-15 mph.