Akie Iwai secured her maiden LPGA Tour win thanks to a commanding four-shot triumph at the Portland Classic.
The 23-year-old rookie from Japan entered the final day at Edgewater Country Club with a two-shot advantage and was never under any sustained pressure as she fired six birdies in a bogey-free six-under 66 to end the tournament on 24 under and secure her first victory on the LPGA Tour.
Her win makes her the 10th first-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season and the fifth Japanese player to claim a title.
Following her win, she stated how she was desperate to win on the tour this year after seeing her twin sister Chisato Iwai claim her first title earlier in the season at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open.
“(She) really inspired me,” said the world number 29. “That’s why I did my best this year.”
“This is a special year for us,” she added.
They become just the fourth sister duo to record victories on the LPGA Tour, alongside the Korda sisters (Jessica and Nelly), the Jutanugarns (Ariya and Moriya), and the Sorenstams (Annika and Charlotta).
American Gurleen Kaur secured a career-best runner-up finish on 20 under and is feeling confident heading into the next tournament.
“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.”
Third was shared between Chisato Iwai and Sweden’s Lin Grant, both a stroke further back on 19 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour schedule is the CPKC Women’s Open taking place between 21-24 August at Mississauga Golf and Country Club in Canada.