As the Epson Tour heads west for the first time in 2026, the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa brings together a compelling mix of proven champions, surging contenders, and talented rookies at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. With the scenic Beaumont layout offering firm conditions and strategic challenges, this week’s event is poised to deliver drama as players battle for crucial Race for the Card points early in the West Coast swing.

Several storylines stand out: defending champion Juliana Hung returns to the scene of her record-setting victory, while 2025 Epson Tour Champion Anne Chen makes her first Epson start of the season after earning her LPGA card. Add in hot rookies like Lauren Clark, along with proven performers such as Mariel Galdiano, and the 126-player field is loaded with talent capable of contending for the title.

Here are some names to watch as the West Coast begins:

Anne Chen

Anne Chen, a 24-year-old from Sugar Land, Texas, is visiting the Epson Tour after earning her 2026 LPGA Tour card in dramatic fashion. A standout at Duke University, where she earned All-ACC honors and multiple academic accolades, Chen turned professional in 2024 and made the most of her time on the Epson Tour. In just her second season, she climbed all the way to No. 11 on the Race for the Card and capped off 2025 by winning the Epson Tour Championship in a thrilling five-hole playoff, her first professional victory.

That landmark win not only secured her full LPGA status but also marked a breakthrough moment after a steady rise through the developmental ranks. Because of her LPGA rookie status, Chen has not competed in any Epson Tour events this season, making her return to the developmental circuit this week a special one.

Now competing at the highest level on the LPGA while staying connected to her Epson Tour roots, the former Blue Devil brings elite ball-striking, mental toughness, and championship momentum to Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon. Fans will be eager to see how the 2025 Epson Tour Champion performs on familiar ground as she balances her rookie campaign.

Rachel Kuehn

Rachel Kuehn, a 24-year-old heading into her sophomore season on the Epson Tour, has arrived on the professional scene with an impressive résumé and high expectations. A standout at Wake Forest University, she became a four-time All-American, earned back-to-back ACC Player of the Year honors (2022 and 2023), and helped lead the Demon Deacons to the 2023 NCAA National Championship.

Now in her second full season on the Epson Tour, Kuehn has shown steady progress and competitiveness during the early Florida events. She delivered one of her strongest performances of the young season at the Orlando Health Championship, posting a solid T23 finish at 2-under par, highlighted by a 67-second round, all while gaining valuable experience against a deep field.

The Wake Forest product is using the developmental tour to sharpen her game and climb the Race for the Card standings. With her championship pedigree and growing professional confidence, Rachel Kuehn is a name to watch as the tour shifts to the West Coast this week at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.

Juliana Hung

Keep an eye on Taiwanese standout Juliana Hung this week at the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Beaumont, California, as the 2024 champion returns to defend her title at one of her most dominant venues on the Epson Tour. In 2024, the then-rookie turned in rounds of 64-64-67 at the IOA Championship to finish at 21-under par, defeating Fiona Xu by nine strokes. That performance was nothing short of historic. Hung shattered the IOA Championship tournament scoring record by seven shots, a mark that had stood since 2013.

Heading into the 2026 edition, Hung has competed in every Epson Tour event of the season, highlighted by a T23 finish at the IOA Golf Classic. Make sure to keep an eye on this young professional as play begins in Beaumont, Calif., on Friday April, 24.

Mariel Galdiano

Mariel Galdiano, a 27-year-old Hawaiian native, has quickly become one of the most exciting stories on the 2026 Epson Tour. A standout collegiate golfer at UCLA, where she earned three All-Pac-12 First Team honors and set the program’s record for lowest round (62), Galdiano turned professional in 2022 after a decorated amateur career that included multiple national team appearances for the United States.

After earning LPGA Tour status for 2025, she is currently splitting time between the LPGA and Epson Tour in 2026, using the developmental circuit to sharpen her game and chase additional opportunities. She has started the season on fire, posting back-to-back strong performances that include a solo third at the IOA Golf Classic followed by a dramatic solo second-place finish at the Orlando Health Championship.

In that final round, Galdiano delivered one of the highlights of the young season, draining a long eagle putt on the 54th hole to put serious pressure on her opponent, Maddie McCrary. The former UCLA Bruin is showing she belongs among the top contenders this season and will be a dangerous player to watch at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon.

Race for the Card Points List Breakdown

The real thrill lies in the Race for the Card points standings. At season’s end, the top 15 finishers secure LPGA Tour status for the next season.

The top 10 earn Category 9 status.

Nos. 11-15 receive Category 16 status, plus entry into LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying for a chance to upgrade to Category 15.

Here is the current Race for the Card leaderboard:

Mariel Galdiano – 550.000

Maddie McCrary – 516.000

Isabella Fierro – 500.000

Jeongeun Lee6 – 500.000

Jiwon Jeon – 364.000

Kiira Riihijarvi – 336.214

Annabelle Pancake-Webb – 328.333

Jessica Porvasnik – 312.500

Maria Fassi – 267.000

Kaitlyn Papp-Budde – 266.583

Kaleiya Romero – 261.667

Julia Gregg – 200.625

Lauren Olivares – 177.067

Carla Bernat Escuder – 166.000

Kate Smith-Stroh – 164.500

Players to Watch - 2026 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa

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