Soo Jin Lee is surprised to be in the US at all, let alone on top of the leaderboard after Round 1 of the Epson Tour’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Michigan.

Lee shot 6-under 66 on day one at the aptly named Battle Creek Country Club to lead by one, less than a week after learning she had a spot in the field.

A regular on the Epson Tour since 2018, Lee had all but shelved plans of appearing on the LPGA secondary tour in 2023, plans that may need to be reviewed should she maintain her lofty position over the remaining two rounds.

“I had no expectations coming to this tournament. I didn’t really even plan to play at all this year, but I got lucky and into the field,” said the 27-year-old from Sydney

“I flew in on Sunday and am flying back home to Australia on Monday.

“I don’t know what just happened, but I had no expectation to be playing well.

“I’m trying to have fun out on the golf course.”

Lee has not played since finishing tied for 57th at the Women’s Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club in November but showed next to no signs of rust in Round 1.

She made seven birdies and one bogey in a round of 66, including making birdies at three of the four par-5s.

“I’m trying to keep things simple and not worry about scores,” Lee added.

“That’s what I did today. One shot at a time, and I didn’t think about what I was doing.

“I hit one shot, made the putts, and that’s how I ended today. The rest of the week, I’ll do the same.”

Behind Lee in a share of second with Kathleen Scavo (67) is Savannah Vilaubi (67), who has already taken home one trophy this year at Copper Rock Championship.

Queensland’s Robyn Choi is one of four players in a tie for seventh at 3-under par, Kiwi Amelia Garvey (70) a further shot back in a tie for 11th.

At the LPGA Tour ShopRite LPGA Classic, Victorian Su Oh is the best of the Aussies after an opening round of 3-under 68.

Oh is four back of Sweden’s Daniela Holmqvist with fellow Aussies Sarah Kemp (71), Karis Davidson (73) and Sarah Jane Smith (73) flirting with the cut-line heading into Round 2.

None of the Australian women made the cut at the Scandinavian Mixed on the Ladies European Tour, West Australian Whitney Hillier struggling to an 8-over 80 after shooting 70 in Round 1.