Jiwon Jeon Bio
Jiwon Jeon is a South Korean professional golfer who competes on the LPGA Tour and the Epson Tour. Born on May 26, 1997, in Daegu, South Korea, she turned professional in 2020 after a distinguished amateur career, including a record-setting run at the University of Alabama. She currently resides in Texas, United States, and has built a reputation as one of the rising South Korean talents in women’s golf.
Since joining the professional ranks, Jiwon Jeon has secured two career wins, both coming in 2023 on the Epson Tour. In addition to her victories, she gained attention for posting three hole-in-ones during the 2024 LPGA season. She is recognized as a precise ball striker with a calm temperament under pressure.
Early Life and Background
Jiwon Jeon was born in Daegu, South Korea, and raised in a country with a deep love for golf. At age 15, she moved to Queensland, Australia, to attend Hills International College on a golf scholarship. This early international experience helped shape her game and exposed her to different playing conditions and coaching philosophies.
Three years later, at age 18, she moved to Florida to play collegiate golf for Daytona State College. Her time in the United States allowed her to sharpen her competitive skills while balancing academics. These formative years in Australia and Florida laid the foundation for the success that would follow at the University of Alabama and beyond.
Path to Professional Golf
Jiwon Jeon’s path to the professional ranks accelerated when she was recruited by the University of Alabama in 2017 to join the Crimson Tide women’s golf team. At Alabama, she became a multiple school record holder in women’s golf, demonstrating the kind of consistency and scoring ability that draws attention from professional scouts.
In 2018, Jeon won the Schooner Fall Classic and set an NCAA record by shooting under 200 for 54 holes. That same year, she was named to the International Palmer Cup team and finished as runner-up at the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur, placing second to her Alabama teammate Kristen Gillman. She rose to sixth on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, an extraordinary achievement for a young Korean golfer.
In 2019, Jiwon Jeon became the first Korean woman amateur golfer to earn an LPGA Tour card. She turned professional in 2020 and went on to play 22 events on the LPGA Tour before moving to the Epson Tour. In September 2023, she secured a spot on the 2024 LPGA Tour, completing her transition from standout amateur to consistent professional.
Jiwon Jeon Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Jiwon Jeon turned professional in 2020 and immediately joined the LPGA Tour, where she competed in 22 events during her rookie seasons. The transition from amateur golf to the professional circuit presented new challenges, including adapting to longer courses, more demanding travel schedules, and the depth of competition on tour.
Seeking more consistent playing opportunities, she joined the Epson Tour, the official developmental tour of the LPGA. Her decision to compete at the developmental level reflected a strategic focus on building tournament experience, refining her course management, and earning a stronger foothold in professional golf.
Epson Tour Breakthrough (2023)
Jiwon Jeon’s breakthrough came in 2023, when she won two Epson Tour events in the same season. She captured the Inova Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship, followed by the French Lick Resort Charity Classic. These victories signaled her arrival as a serious competitor in women’s professional golf.
The two-win season on the Epson Tour was the springboard she needed. In September 2023, those results translated into a spot on the 2024 LPGA Tour, allowing her to return to the top tier of women’s golf with full status and renewed confidence.
LPGA Tour Era (2024–Present)
Back on the LPGA Tour in 2024, Jiwon Jeon produced one of the most talked-about statistical seasons in recent memory. She made a hole-in-one at the Portland Classic in August, then added a second ace at the Buick LPGA Shanghai in October, and a third at The ANNIKA in November. Three aces in a single season highlighted her sharp iron play and ability to deliver under pressure.
She also qualified for her second U.S. Women’s Open that year, advancing through a qualifying round at the Rainier Golf and Country Club. Her major championship appearances during this period included a T24 at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, a T41 at the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and a made cut at the 2025 Chevron Championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jiwon Jeon is recognized for her precise iron play and confident wedge game, traits that have fueled her three hole-in-ones in 2024. She pairs that technical sharpness with a steady, patient temperament, allowing her to navigate difficult pin positions and high-stakes situations. Her amateur scoring record at the University of Alabama reflects a player who thrives on fast, demanding golf courses.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jiwon Jeon’s career came in 2018, when she set an NCAA record by shooting under 200 for 54 holes at the Schooner Fall Classic. Becoming the first Korean woman amateur to earn an LPGA Tour card in 2019 marked another milestone, as did her three hole-in-ones during the 2024 LPGA season, a rare statistical feat at the top level of women’s golf.
Jiwon Jeon Career Wins
Jiwon Jeon has recorded two professional wins in her career, both coming during the 2023 Epson Tour season. These championships served as the foundation for her return to the LPGA Tour and established her as a player to watch in South Korean women’s golf.
Epson Tour Highlights
Jiwon Jeon opened her Epson Tour win column in 2023 with the Inova Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship. She followed that victory with the French Lick Resort Charity Classic later in the same season. The two wins in a single campaign demonstrated her ability to close out tournaments and handle the demands of a developmental tour schedule.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her two Epson Tour titles, Jiwon Jeon has posted notable finishes across the LPGA Tour, including a T24 at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open and a T41 at the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Her three hole-in-ones during the 2024 LPGA season stand as some of the most memorable individual moments of her professional career.
| Tour | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epson Tour | 2 | — | — |
| LPGA Tour | 0 | — | — |
Jiwon Jeon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jiwon Jeon was born and raised in Daegu, South Korea. Public information about her immediate family is limited, and details about her parents and any siblings have not been officially confirmed. Her pathway into golf began through structured international schooling rather than a documented family lineage in the sport.
Personal Life
Jiwon Jeon currently resides in Texas, United States, where she bases herself while competing on the LPGA Tour. She keeps much of her personal life private, and verified public information about a spouse or children has not been reported. Her focus during this stage of her career remains on her golf and continued development on the LPGA Tour.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents an important step in Jiwon Jeon’s professional development on the LPGA Tour. Coming off a 2024 campaign highlighted by three hole-in-ones and major championship appearances, she entered the year with full tour status and growing momentum. Her early-season schedule includes majors, with a made cut at the 2025 Chevron Championship already in the books.
Her 2024 results, including a T24 at the U.S. Women’s Open and a T41 at the Women’s PGA Championship, suggest that consistent contention in majors is a realistic next goal. Continued strong play in regular tour events will be key to her push for a first LPGA Tour victory and a deeper run into the season-ending events.
Looking ahead, Jiwon Jeon’s combination of sharp iron play, proven closing ability from her Epson Tour wins, and prior major experience positions her well for a breakthrough season in 2025. Her residence in Texas provides a stable base for travel and preparation as she pursues her first LPGA Tour title.