Hawaii – Just six weeks after securing her first LPGA victory, Akie Iwai of Japan has taken the lead after the first round of the Lotte Championship in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The 23-year-old shot an exceptional 8-under-par 64 on Wednesday at Hoakalei Country Club.
Iwai holds a one-stroke lead over a tightly packed group of three competitors at 7-under 65: Peiyun Chien of Taiwan, Gabriela Ruffels of Australia, and fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka.
Top of the Leaderboard
A three-way tie for fifth place sits at 6-under 66,, featuring the Thai duo of Pornanong Phatlum and Patty Tavatanakit, along with South Korea’s A Lim Kim, who is the defending champion. A group of three players, including Jessica Porvasnik, Youmin Hwang, and Sung Hyun Park, are tied for eighth place at 5-under 67.
Iwai’s Strong Start and Consistent Play
Iwai’s remarkable round was powered by her consistency, particularly with the driver, according to her comments. Starting on the back nine, she quickly found her rhythm, birdying three of her first four holes. After adding two more irdies around the turn, she finished with a hot streak of four birdies across holes No. 4 through No. 8 before recording her only bogey of the day on the final hole, No. 9.
Pursuers’ Impressive Rounds
- Gabriela Ruffels had a blistering start similar to Iwai, sinking four birdies in her first five holes, though she mixed in one bogey. Ruffels finished her round with eight total birdies.
- Peiyun Chien delivered the only bogey-free round among the leaders, recording seven birdies—four on the front nine and three on the back nine.
- Nasa Hataoka was only 1-under par after playing the back nine but ignited her round with a remarkable streak of five consecutive birdies. Despite a bogey on No. 6, she finished strong with birdies on Nos. 7 and 9.
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