Akie Iwai wins Portland Classic to join twin sister Chisato as rookie LPGA Tour champion

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Akie Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner Sunday at Columbia Edgewater, closing with a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke victory in The Standard Portland Classic.

Akie Iwai capped the bogey-free round with birdies on the final two holes, running in an 18-footer on the last before Chisato rushed on the green and sprayed her with champagne.

The 23-year-old Japanese player broke through in her first season on the LPGA Tour after winning six times on the JLPGA Tour.

She had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico. On Sunday, Chisato Iwai shot a 64 to tie for third, five strokes back.

“This is a special year for us,” Akie Iwai said.

Their parents shared in the victory.

Akie Iwai, of Japan, waves towards the crowd after winning the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Gradischer)

“When I saw my mom crying, oh,” Akie Iwai said.

She´s the fifth player from Japan to win this season, following her sister, Rio Takeda, Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita.

“So many Japanese people this year won, so inspired me,” Akie Iwai said.

They are fourth set of sisters to win on the LPGA Tour, joining Jessica and Nelly Korda, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam.

The winner finished at 24-under 264 on the tree-lined course. She opened with consecutive 67s, then shot a 64 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.

American Gurleen Kaur was a career-best second, closing with a 65.

“I think it´s super exciting,” Kaur said. “We´re playing in Canada next week with a stronger field as well, so excited about that. Carrying that good momentum from here to there.”

Linn Grant of Sweden had a 67 to join Chisato Iwai at 19 under. Grace Kim of Australia was 18 under after a 70.

Amateur Kiara Romero shot a 64 to tie for seventh at 16 under in her first tour start. The University of Oregon player won the 2023 U.S. Girls´ Junior and 2025 Big Ten title.

“It feels great to just play really well my first LPGA event,” Romero said.” Kind of gives me a lot of confidence going into the school year… All the Ducks fans are out here. So, we had a big crowd and a lot of people cheering me on, so it meant a lot to put a good week.”

The tournament is the longest continuous event on the LPGA Tour except for the majors, dating to 1972.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Akie Iwai, and Chisato Iwai, of Japan, after Akie won the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Gradischer)

Akie Iwai, of Japan, holds up the trophy after winning the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Gradischer)

Akie Iwai, of Japan, holds a bouquet of flowers after winning the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Gradischer)

Akie Iwai, of Japan, poses with the trophy after winning the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Gradischer)

Related Posts

RoboCop (1987) Después de 37 años, ¿qué ha sido de los actores ahora en 2024?

**¡Impactante Revelación! 37 Años Después de RoboCop: ¿Qué Sucedió con el Elenco?** A medida que 2024 avanza, los fanáticos de “RoboCop” (1987) no pueden evitar preguntarse: ¿qué ha…

Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988) Cast THEN & NOW 2025 – After 45 Years, Who’s Still Around?

Breaking News: The Legacy of “Magnum, P.I.” Cast Members—Who Remains Alive After 45 Years? In a poignant reflection on the iconic series “Magnum, P.I.,” we take a moment…

HAL Tejas MK-1 🛩️ Aircraft 🛩️ Compare Chengdu J-10C 🛩️ Aircraft 🛩️

In a stunning display of aerial prowess, the HAL Tejas MK-1 and Chengdu J-10C have emerged as two of the most formidable multi-role fighters in the skies today,…

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN 1960 Cast Then and Now 2025: All the cast members have sadly passed away!

In a poignant reflection on cinematic history, the tragic fate of the beloved cast from the 1960 classic “The Magnificent Seven” has been brought to light. All members…

MONK (2002) Cast THEN and NOW 2025: Everyone from the cast has sadly aged!

**Breaking News: The Cast of “Monk” Faces the Passage of Time as 2025 Approaches** As the beloved cast of the iconic series “Monk” enters their twilight years, fans…

Triste: No auge se vai… | Léo Santana não aguenta e… | Fim de Zezé di Camargo e Luciano…

Léo Santana e a polêmica separação de Zezé di Camargo e Luciano dominam as manchetes nesta 𝓈ℯ𝓍ta-feira! Em um desdobramento surpreendente, a relação entre os irmãos, que já…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *