When Juliana Hung hoisted the 2024 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort and Spa trophy in 2024, she did so in way that was never done before on the Epson Tour – finishing a 54-hole event at 20-under or better. Not only did Hung become the first Epson Tour player to break the 20-under mark, she did so by shooting 21-under over the three days, two-shot better than the previous 54-hole scoring record.

“It feels like it was a long time ago, to be honest, but just seeing my pictures with the trophy once I got back, it was pretty incredible. Brings back some memories,” said Hung after her practice round. “I feel like that week just in general was a bit unreal, it was like a dream to be honest. I didn't think about playing well. I knew I had the game, but I just never thought about the score like the whole week, even after shooting eight unders, I was just kind of like, 'I'm just going to go out there and you know enjoy.'”

At the time, the now 23-year-old had only made one cut in her first three starts during her rookie season and was just starting to get used to being a professional golfer in America. The IOA Championship put Hung on the map and set up what would become a record-breaking year for not only herself, but a couple more of her competitors along the way.

The rest of the season was up and down for the Chinese Taipei native, who would not find herself inside the top-10 the rest of her rookie season. There were some strong results however, with a pair of T11 results at the Casino Del Sol Golf Classic and Four Winds Invitational.

Hung set the tone for the season early and it was not long before another rookie found her way into the winner’s circle and the 20-under club. Fiona Xu turned in a 54-hole total of 22-under at the 2024 Copper Rock Championship, breaking Hung’s 21-under mark. The pair are good friends and Xu used Hung’s win in Beaumont as inspiration for her own win in Hurricane, Utah.

“Well Juliana is my friend and I'm really happy for her and she played really well,” said Xu after her win at the Copper Rock Championship. “I wished that I could do that too and I am really happy that I did it this week.”

One more athlete joined Hung and Xu before the end of the season, with Pornanong Phatlum finishing the Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic 21-under for 54-holes, matching Hung’s total. In total, the Epson Tour went from never seeing a player finish 20-under or better, to three players all doing it in one season, led by Juliana Hung.

In 2025, Hung is off to a much better start after her first three events. She has already posted a top-10 finish at the Central Florida Championship, as well as making the cut in her other two starts. Hung currently sits No. 12 in the Race for the Card heading into a course where she feels comfortable, looking to go back-to-back.

Hung will start her title defense Friday, April 25th at 8:06 a.m. local time off of hole one. Follow along with the 2025 IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort and Spa here.

Juliana Hung Ready to Defend IOA Championship Title

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