Iwai's Spectacular Opening Round
Japanese rookie Akie Iwai set the fairways of Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, ablaze on Thursday with a sensational 10-under-par 62 in the first round of the Honda LPGA. The 22-year-old’s scorching performance earned her a three-shot lead over Sweden’s Maja Stark in steamy playing conditions.
Iwai’s round was nothing short of remarkable, as she racked up seven birdies on the front nine and added three more on the back to cap off an almost flawless display of golf. Her commanding lead put her well ahead of the competition, with Thai veteran Moriya Jutanugarn sitting in third place at six-under.
A Strong Debut Season
Iwai, who is in her rookie year on the LPGA Tour following a successful stint on the Japanese circuit, expressed her satisfaction with her performance.
"Today I did shoot well and putted well, both," Iwai said after her round, highlighting her strong overall game. Her transition from the Japanese tour to the LPGA has been smooth so far, and her performance in Thailand suggests she is ready to make a strong impact at the highest level.
Twin Sister's Struggles
While Akie enjoyed a dream start to the tournament, her twin sister, Chisato Iwai, endured a more challenging day on the course. Chisato carded four bogeys on her way to an even-par 72, leaving her in a tie for 40th place. It was a round to forget for the 22-year-old, who will look to bounce back in the second round.
Maja Stark Finds Her Form
Two-time Solheim Cup star Maja Stark was the closest challenger to Iwai after the opening round, finishing three shots back. The 25-year-old Swede was particularly pleased with her driving, which had let her down at the Founders Cup in Florida earlier this month, where she missed the cut.
"I felt like in Bradenton I had a couple of big misses off the tees that really ruined my scores," Stark admitted. "Finally got more control of my driver off the tee, and then it felt like it was just pretty simple golf."
Stark will be hoping to maintain her momentum and keep the pressure on Iwai heading into the second round.
Other Notable Performances
Founders Cup winner Yealimi Noh had a quieter start in Pattaya, shooting a two-under 70 to sit in 23rd place. While not entirely out of contention, she will need a strong second round to close the gap on the leaders.
Meanwhile, the Honda LPGA in Thailand marks the beginning of an exciting Asian swing on the LPGA Tour. After Thailand, the tour will move to Singapore next week, followed by an event in China from March 6 to 9.
LPGA’s New Pace of Play Policy
Following the Asian swing, the LPGA Tour is set to introduce a new pace of play policy at the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona, from March 27 to 30. The policy aims to improve the speed of play and enhance the overall experience for players and fans.
As the Honda LPGA continues in Thailand, all eyes will be on Akie Iwai to see if she can maintain her lead and secure her first victory on the LPGA Tour. With strong competition from Stark and Jutanugarn, the tournament is shaping up to be an exciting battle for the title.
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