Morning magic at Hoakalei
When the sun rose over the rolling fairways of Hoakalei Country Club on Wednesday, the air was as still as a pond at dawn. In those gentle conditions, 23‑year‑old Akie Iwai found her rhythm and posted an 8‑under‑par 64, catapulting herself to the top of the Lotte Championship leaderboard.
How Iwai built her round
She opened with a birdie on the first three holes, then added another on the fourth, putting three birdies in the first four shots. The Japanese star kept the momentum rolling, tallying six birdies in a nine‑hole stretch before a solitary bogey on the par‑3 ninth put a tiny dent in an otherwise flawless front nine.
Family ties on the course
Akie wasn’t alone on the fairways; she teed off alongside her twin sister, Chisato Iwai, who posted a respectable 70. The sisters have both already chalked up victories this season – Chisato broke through in May at Mayakoba, Mexico, while Akie lifted the Portland Classic trophy back in August.
Close competition
Trailing by just a stroke were fellow Japanese Nasa Hataoka, who carded a 65, and two international challengers: Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels and Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien, both also finishing at 65. Ruffels noted that the wind, which was barely a whisper in the morning, would likely become the course’s biggest adversary later in the day.
Defending champion’s response
South Korean veteran A Lim Kim, the defending champion, delivered the best afternoon round with a 66, highlighted by four consecutive birdies on the back nine. Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit and Pornanong Phatlum matched that 66 in the morning session, showing the depth of talent in the field.
Stars of the LPGA weigh in
World No. 2 Nelly Korda opened with a 69, birdieing the first three holes before a pair of bogeys and two birdies balanced her score to three‑under. “It was a bit of an up‑and‑down round, but I’m happy with a 3‑under,” Korda said, adding that she still has a long way to go to contend for the title after losing the top spot to Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul.
Other notable performances
England’s Charley Hull, fresh off a win at the Kroger Queen City Championship three weeks earlier, matched Korda with a 69. Hull’s recent success came after Thitikul’s dramatic four‑putt on the final hole of that Ohio event.
Brooke Henderson, a two‑time winner of the Ko Olina tournament, posted a solid 70 in the afternoon, reminding fans of her past dominance at the Hawaiian venue.
The tour’s wild card season
This year’s LPGA season has been a carousel of first‑time winners – every one of the 24 official events has crowned a different champion. That level of parity makes each tournament a fresh mystery and adds extra intrigue to Akie’s early lead.
What lies ahead for the players
With the morning round wrapped, players will tee off again in the afternoon under potentially breezier conditions. The wind, which Ruffels described as the course’s “defense,” could turn the tables and make low scores harder to come by.
Looking beyond Hawaii
After the Lotte Championship, the LPGA swing shifts to Asia for a five‑week stretch, with stops in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan. The Asian swing often brings a mix of new challenges – from humid heat to tricky coastal breezes – that can reshuffle the leaderboard once more.
Why Iwai’s round matters
Beyond the numbers, Akie Iwai’s 64 signals a rising confidence in a player who’s already proven she can win on the tour. If she can navigate the afternoon wind and keep her composure, she could turn this early lead into a historic first LPGA title.
Final thoughts
Fans will be watching closely as the field heads back out later today. Whether the wind will bite or the greens will stay forgiving, one thing’s certain: the Lotte Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown, with Akie Iwai leading the charge.
