Over the next several weeks LPGA.com will take a look back at Epson Tour players landing inside the top-10. This edition of the 'Meet the Epson Tour Grads" features Hannah Jun. She had seven top finishes including career best tied for fourth place finishes at the three Epson Tour events last season. She finished ranked No. 7 in the Volvik Race for the Card and earned LPGA status for the 2014 season.
Never Give Up
Throughout Hannah Jun’s relatively lengthy professional golf career, she has thrived on her resilient and never give-up attitude as she travels throughout the country on The Road to the LPGA.
Golf all started for Jun at the age of 12 when the youngster was looking to spend more time with her father and also found an extra incentive when driving a golf cart seemed enticing.
“I started playing golf when I was around 12 years old,” said Jun. “I started playing the game because I wanted to spend more time with my dad and driving the golf cart also sounded like too much fun.”
Jun quickly realized she was a natural talent at the game as everything seemed to click early in her golf career. Jun ripped through the junior golf ranks winning the 2003 Callaway Golf Junior World Championship and was named a two-time AJGA All-American Second Team selection in 2002 and 2003.
Raised in San Diego, Calif. and a true California girl, when it came time for Jun to select a college to attend, it seemed out of the question for her to leave her beloved state. It was only natural Jun decided to attend the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) where her game continued to blossom.
“I am a true California girl. Leaving Southern California seemed out of the question,” said Jun who majored in History. “I fell in love with the campus and Westwood. UCLA also was a perfect balance for me as far as the academics and the quality of competition.”
Jun’s game showed no signs of slowing down while competing collegiately as she was named the 2003 Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year and won the 2004 NCAA West Regionals. While at UCLA, Jun was also named a 2004 NGCA All-American Second Team selection and a 2007 Honorable Mention All-American.
One thing Jun thrived on during her time at UCLA was her highly competitive teammates which many are now competing on the LPGA and Epson Tour. Jun competed daily with current LPGA Tour members Sydnee Michaels, Tiffany Joh, Ryan O’Toole, Mo Martin, and Jane Park and according to the fifth year Epson Tour member, the competition was pivotal in developing her golf game.
“Being on an extremely competitive team, I was always challenged,” said Jun. “It was extremely important to stay on top of your game because there was always someone ready to take your spot but it pushed you to be the best.”
Immediately after graduating college in 2007, Jun turned professional and finished tied for 25th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn her LPGA Tour card for the 2008 season. As a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 2008, Jun made limited cuts forcing her to turn her attention to the Epson Tour in 2009.
During the 2009 season, Jun finished 28th on the season-ending money list but things seemed to be turning around the following season and she recorded seven top-10 finishes and finished ninth on money list to regain her LPGA Tour card for 2011.
Despite the standout year for Jun in 2010, she failed to make any money on the LPGA in 2011 and focused primarily on the Epson Tour and Ladies European Tour.
While Jun has had an up-and-down professional career, one thing has always remained and that is her never give-up attitude. Even throughout the struggles and hardships, one thing remains consistent for Jun and that is her optimistic outlook.
“The most important lesson I have learned is to never give-up,” said Jun. “You just never know what can happen out here. One shot, hole and round can totally change a season.”
With two tournaments already under belt this season, Jun had one goal in mind for 2013 and that is to regain her LPGA Tour card via a top-10 finish on the season-ending Volvik Race for the Card standings.
“It would mean a lot to me to retain my card again,” said Jun. “I feel like I am a different player and a more mature professional golfer. Obviously the LPGA is where the best players in the world play and being a part of that is something we all strive for out here.
“One of my main goals is to be inside that top ten at the end of the year but most importantly to enjoy the ride,” Jun added. “Being out here and competing can be such a grind and you can forget to enjoy it.”
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