LPGA Tour rookie Briana Chacon had quite a roller-coaster opening round to card a 6-under-par 65 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic powered by Wakefern, relying on her short game and a spectacular eagle to anchor her day.

Chacon, a standout product from the University of Oregon who earned her LPGA Tour card through the Epson Tour last year, offset three bogeys with seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 16th hole.

Despite finding herself on a bumpy emotional ride throughout the day, Chacon managed to keep her composure by refusing to let mistakes linger.

"Throughout the entire day I was just trying to stay focused and stay grounded and not get too ahead of myself and not get to -- like focus too much on past shots," Chacon said. "Just focus on the present and just what was going on. I feel like there is a lot of really tough holes out here. If you stay consistent, you can post some good scores."

Chacon showcased excellent efficiency on the greens, needing only 27 putts to complete her round. She hit 10 of 14 fairways and reached 14 of 18 greens in regulation.

The highlight of the 24-year-old rookie's day came on the 16th hole. After hitting what she described as a "pretty standard" driver into the middle of the fairway, Chacon faced a 136-yard second shot into the wind.

Consulting with her caddie, Heath Ziglar, Chacon opted for a creative approach to combat the conditions.

"My caddie, Heath, and I decided that we're going to do like a little cut 9-iron, but kind of like a little chip shot," Chacon explained. "So like a three-quarter cutty 9-iron, if that makes sense.”

Her execution proved flawless, as Chacon struck the ball cleanly. The young American shaped a beautiful "baby fade" through the wind. The ball landed softly next to the pin before spinning back directly into the cup for an eagle.

The low round marks a significant milestone for the Epson Tour graduate, who is adjusting to life on the LPGA Tour. She earned full LPGA Tour membership for the 2026 season after finishing sixth in the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card standings last year. During her 2025 campaign, Chacon proved to be an elite competitor, making 16 cuts in 19 starts while securing five top-10 finishes, including victories at the IOA Championship and the Casella Golf Championship.

With tough scoring conditions expected through the weekend, Chacon intends to maintain the same steady, present-minded mental approach that vaulted her to the top of the leaderboard Friday.

Hole-Out Eagle Propels Epson Tour Graduate Briana Chacon to Opening 65 at ShopRite LPGA

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