Japanese golfer Akie Iwai plays a shot during the opening round of the CPKC Women’s Open at Mississauga Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Canada, on Aug. 21, 2025. (Kyodo)
MISSISSAUGA, Canada (Kyodo) — Japanese golfer Akie Iwai opened with a 7-under 64 to take the lead at the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday, just four days after she picked up her first career LPGA title.
The 23-year-old tour rookie made seven birdies without a bogey to lead a group of five players by two strokes at Mississauga Golf and Country Club in Canada.
The five are American Megan Khang, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng, Ireland’s Leona Maguire and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul.
Iwai began her round with a birdie on the par-4 11th, the starting hole for half the field, and posted her second birdie on No. 18. She birdied five of her last seven holes.
“After sinking a long birdie putt at the start, I luckily made a lot of putts from about 15 to 20 feet,” Iwai said. “I was able to turn my focus nicely (from last week’s victory) to this week.”
Among other Japanese golfers in the field, Mao Saigo shot a 68 to share eighth place.
At the Standard Portland Classic in Oregon last Sunday, Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie winner, making them the first twins in history to each win on the LPGA Tour.
