The 2024 Epson Tour season left rookie Briana Chacon disappointed. But little did she know that disappointment would ultimately turn into gratitude and fuel her to work even harder to achieve her dreams.

Briana found early success in her Epson Tour career, winning the inaugural 2024 Atlantic Beach Classic in a three-person playoff. She defeated Epson Tour and LPGA Tour veterans, Kim Kaufman and Jessica Porvasnik, making Chacon one of the rookies to watch as the season progressed.

But then came struggle, as Briana went the rest of the season without another top-10 finish. While she managed to make a respectable 12 cuts in 19 starts, Briana finished 25th in the 2024 Race for the Card Standings, 10 spots shy of earning her LPGA Tour card. It left her heartbroken but also made her hungry.

“It was a little disappointing that I was so close to getting my card, but looking back, I think more than anything, I’m really grateful for how everything played out,” said Briana. “I think that initial year on the Epson Tour was crucial for me to develop my game. I think now, I finally feel ready for the next level.”

With a year’s experience on the Official Qualifying Tour under her belt, Briana came into the 2025 Epson Tour season ready to prove that she has what it takes to compete on the LPGA Tour in 2026. And she did just that, winning twice and picking up several top-10 results while on her way to achieving her dream and securing her LPGA Tour card with just a handful of tournaments remaining in the season.

“It means everything to me,” Briana said of securing Tour status. “Being on the LPGA has been a lifetime goal and dream of mine, ever since I started playing golf when I was a little kid. To finally achieve this goal is the world to me, and I’m super excited and super grateful for what’s to come. I’m excited to work hard when I get there and try to stay there.”

The University of Oregon graduate always knew she had what it took to win a professional golf tournament and compete against the best in the world. Briana was the first Oregon Duck to win an NCAA Regional Individual Title at the 2022 Albuquerque site and still holds the record for lowest scoring average in program history of 72.82, two seasons after graduating.

The California native is a talented golfer, but every star needs a nudge as a child, someone influential in their life to push them to pick up a club and continue practicing. For Briana, it’s her father.

Oscar Chacon has walked with Briana every step of the way, encouraging his daughter to never give up on her dreams. And when it was her time to get called up to the big leagues, he was beaming with pride. Tears rolled down his face as he expressed his excitement, and for Briana, having her father there when she heard the news meant everything.

“If it wasn’t for him, I 100 percent wouldn’t be here today,” said Briana. “He’s been through thick and thin with me, ever since I was a little kid. He’s the one who got me into golf, and he’s put in so many hours and so much effort to help me in my golf game.”

The moment was picture-perfect. Briana was sitting with her father and friends when the Tour’s Chief Business and Operating Officer, Jody Brothers, marched up, sat down and told her they needed to talk. Confused and hoping she hadn’t done something wrong, Briana listened intently. The news was far better than she’d ever expected, and immediately, her hand slapped across her mouth in shock.

“I was a little surprised when (Jody) first came up to me. I thought I was in trouble,” Briana said with a laugh. “So many emotions hit me all at once, and to know that it was actually official, I was a little shocked and surprised. More than anything, I’m super grateful, and definitely a little emotional, too.”

For now, Briana will bask in the excitement while trying to earn a few more solid finishes and Player of the Year honors. But no matter what, learning is her priority, taking in every experience and coming out of it better than before.

And now that she has achieved her goal of getting to the LPGA Tour, Briana wants to maintain her status and hopes to etch her name into the history books as one of the best someday.

“I’m so excited to soak everything in,” Briana said. “I’m going to try to learn as much as I can from the other players up there and try to enjoy every single moment of it. More than anything, I’m going to take what I learned here, on the Epson Tour, and try to apply it to the next stage. It’s super important to work even harder than I have already to get to that next stage and stay there.

“Not come back, even though that sounds bad,” Briana said with a smile.

Briana Chacon Uses Growth and Maturity to Propel Her to the LPGA Tour

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