Akie Iwai Eyes Another Victory at the CPKC Women’s Open
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Akie Iwai positioned herself at the CPKC Women’s Open weekend with a three-stroke lead, seeking her second consecutive victory. After an initial round of 64 strokes, seven under par, Iwai completed Friday with 69 strokes, reaching a total of nine under par, 133 strokes, at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. The 23-year-old Japanese golfer, who won the Portland Classic last Sunday, joined her twin sister Chisato as a rookie champion on the LPGA Tour. Iwai focuses on keeping it simple and not getting ahead of herself.Jeeno Thitikul, the Thai star who is participating for the first time since she displaced Nelly Korda from the number one position in the world, shot a round of 70 strokes, tying for second place with Minjee Lee (67) and Leona Maguire (70). Canadian star Brooke Henderson, who has struggled, rebounded from an opening round of 71 strokes with a round of 66, finishing at five under par. The 2018 champion won her last LPGA Tour title, number 13, in January 2023.“I don’t change my mindset. I don’t change my swing. I just focus on my golf,” Iwai declared.
Akie Iwai
Henderson played alongside Thitikul and Lottie Woad, winner of the Women’s Scottish Open, who shot rounds of 75 and 69, missing the cut by one stroke. Defending champion Lauren Coughlin was also eliminated, with rounds of 74 and 70. Coughlin won last year in Calgary. Akie Iwai, a six-time winner on the JLPGA Tour, is participating in Canada for the first time. On Friday, on the tree-lined course, she played the first nine holes at par, with two birdies and two bogeys. In the second half, she achieved birdies on the 13th hole, par 5, and on the 17th hole, par 4.“I’m right there,” Henderson said. “I just have to keep going, put together two more solid rounds.”
Brooke Henderson
Chisato Iwai, winner in Mayakoba in May in Mexico, also missed the cut by one stroke, with rounds of 75 and 69. Korda was at four under par after his second round of 69. He had a double bogey on the 3rd hole, par 3. Aphrodite Deng, the 15-year-old Canadian amateur who tied for second place after a first round of 66, shot a round of 73, falling to 15th place, tied, at three under par.“I also had many birdie opportunities today, but I didn’t take advantage of them,” commented Iwai. “I left short putts.”
Akie Iwai
