Golf

Akie Iwai Captures 1st Title of Her Blossoming LPGA Career

With a bogey-free final round at the Portland Classic, Akie Iwai secured a four-stroke victory and joined her twin sister Chisato as LPGA Tour winners in 2025.

by
Ed Odeven
August 18, 2025

Akie Iwai completed a stellar four-day stretch of golf at the Portland Classic with a 6-under 66 in the final round on Sunday, August 17.

The 23-year-old held a two-stroke lead heading into the final round, and she claimed her first LPGA Tour title with a four-stroke victory. She shot 24-under 264 at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon.

With Sunday's triumph, the Saitama Prefecture native joins her twin sister, Chisato Iwai, as rookie winners on the LPGA Tour in 2025.

"It was very tough getting to this point, but I was really happy I managed to break through," Akie Iwai was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

American Gurleen Kaur was the Portland Classic runner-up at 20-under 268.

Sweden's Linn Grant and Chisato Iwai tied for third at 19 under.

After carding an 8-under 64 in the final round, Chisato Iwai told reporters, "Today I made two eagles. Yeah, I was surprised."

Among Japan's entrants, Rio Takeda was the third-highest finisher, tying for 23rd at 10-under 278.

Consistent Results for Akie Iwai

Akie Iwai's back-to-back 5-under 67s in the first two rounds of the Portland Classic put her in a good position to contend for the title.

She then shot a 64 on Saturday, making eight birdies in the third round.

In Sunday's final round, Iwai had a 34 on the front nine, then wrapped up her title-winning effort with a 32 on the back nine, including consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. The rising star sank an 18-foot birdie on the final green to cap a bogey-free round.

Akie Iwai has often been at her best at the end of LPGA Tour tournaments in 2025. Her round four scoring average (69.09) is her best of all rounds, and she's No 5 on the tour for that statistic. She's also fourth in total birdies (232).

Before her breakthrough victory on the LPGA Tour, she was the runner-up twice this season: the Honda LPGA Thailand in February and the LA Championship in April.

It's also been a special year for the Japanese contingent on the LPGA Tour. In addition to Akie and Chisato Iwai, who won the Mexico Riviera Maya Open in May, compatriots Miyuu Yamashita (Women's British Open), Mao Saigo (The Chevron Championship) and Takeda (Blue Bay LPGA) have also won titles.

Akie Iwai received a winner's check of $300,000 USD (¥44.2 million JPY).

The Thrill of Victory

On Sunday, Akie Iwai spoke about the overall impact of Japanese golf success on the tour this season for her.

"Yeah, so many Japanese people this year [have] won, so [it] inspired me," she told a news conference. "That's why I will do my best."

Akie received a champagne shower from Chisato on the golf course to memorialize the occasion. Shortly thereafter, the Portland Classic winner declared, "Actually this is a special year for us."

Referencing her twin sister's aforementioned LPGA Tour title and her first tournament championship, Akie called it "an amazing year" for them.

"After Chisato won hers, I was anxious whether I could win a title myself," Akie said, according to Kyodo News. "But I also thought I'd be alright if I do what I need to."

Looking ahead, the Portland Classic winner outlined her goals.

"I want to win at a major [in the future]," Akie told reporters. "For the remainder of the season, I'd like to win a few more titles together with Chisato. I always have Chisato somewhere in my heart."

Since the LPGA Tour was established in 1950, four pairs of sisters have won titles, including all-time great Annika Sorenstam and her younger sibling, Charlotta.

Akie and Chisato Iwai are the first twins to win LPGA Tour titles. Both women have had success in their homeland, too. Akie is a six-time winner on the JLPGA Tour. Chisato has captured eight titles on the domestic tour.

Author: Ed Odeven

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