SHOPRITE LPGA POWERED BY WAKEFERN

May 29, 2026

Briana Chacon

Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, Bay Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Joining us after the first round of the ShopRite LPGA powered by Wakefern is Briana Chacon. Really good round today. You had a 65. It was a bit of up and down. You had a eagle, seven birdies, seven pars, and three bogeys. Could you talk a little bit about how you manage your emotions through a round that's bumpy for lack of a better term?

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, definitely one of those days, a little up and down. Throughout the entire day I was just trying to stay focused and stay ground and not get too ahead of myself and not get to -- like focus too much on past shots. 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.

Q. You made an eagle on 16. Walk us through that shot tee-to-green. Like club you hit, like distances.

BRIANA CHACON: Yes. So I hit a driver off the tee; pretty standard shot; just middle the fairway. Second shot I had about 136 to the pin.

You know, it was blowing a little into the wind and 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. So like a three quarter cutty 9-iron, if that makes since.

Luckily hit the shot really good and had a nice baby fade and came down next to the pin and just scooted back into the pin, spun back in.

Yeah.

Q. You've put yourself in a great spot after the first round. When you play well, what does your first round process look like? Do you do the same thing no matter how you play, or take it a little bit easier if things are going well?

BRIANA CHACON: For the most part I take it pretty easy unless if, you know, I have a really bad error or something. Today probably just get some lunch and just relax and fuel up for tomorrow.

Q. What are emotions like being near the top of the leaderboard? How do you handle that going into tomorrow?

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, I mean, I just try not to really think about the other competitors or anything. Just try to focus on myself and just control what I can control. Just try to play my best golf.

Q. And you might have answered my next question with that answer, but a lot of the top 10 players aren't here. They skipped it to prepare for the U.S. Women's Open. Do you look at this tournament as an opportunity to maybe play well, and if you play well, you're going to get good results? I know golfers focus on what they do, but seems like an opening and here. Somebody is going to walk through it.

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I had kind of like a rough start to the beginning of the season just with some equipment stuff. Luckily got all that sorted out a few weeks ago, and I think that really helped me this week, or today I mean, to post a good score.

Just hoping to keep it rolling and just keep the good vibes and positive vibes all around.

Q. The history of this tournament says you got to make a lot of birdies to win. Does that put pressure on you at all to like if you make a par you feel like it's a bogey or something?

BRIANA CHACON: No, not at all. I don't really think about it that way. Just try to take some birdie opportunities when I can. If I don't, then onto the next one. No big deal.

Q. You mentioned this a little bit, what are your overall takeaways from today and the rest of the week?

BRIANA CHACON: Today, just played solid golf. I think a really big part of this course is the greens. I know they're a little bit tricky out there. If you have a good putting day you're going to have a good round overall.

Q. How do you stay motivated for tomorrow?

BRIANA CHACON: I just take it easy. Just kind of do my same routine. I don't change anything up. Just stick to what I know and just keep doing me, so...

Q. How have you seen the growth of women's sports the past year on the LPGA?

BRIANA CHACON: I mean, the growth in women's sports has been tremendous. It's been amazing to watch. Not only in golf, but I feel like in all sports. So there has been a huge rise in the LPGA lately, which has been really cool to see and be a part of it, so I'm excited to see how much further it goes.

Q. What's it like if a little boy or girl comes up to you and says, can I have your autograph?

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, it means the world because a few years ago that was me. That was me in those shoes. So it's kind of like a full circle moment for sure. Just makes me really happy that I can be that role model to younger kids that I once looked up to when I was a child.

Q. And how do you feel like being part of the future of the LPGA?

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, feels great. You know, I'm just -- it's my rookie year, so just trying my best. Yeah, it's a huge honor to be around so many legends, amazing players, and learn from them. I'm super honored to be at this stage.

Q. Lastly, during your rookie year, specifically this week, what are some like -- were there nerves going in? Were you like, I'm here now. This is where... Like what was your overall mentality or takeaway from the week going into it and today, round one?

BRIANA CHACON: Yeah, I think at this point in the season I kind of have a good grip of everything so far. Not too many nerves. Just first round, just going to go out and just try my best and whatever happens, happens, basically.