Japan’s Chisato Iwai fired a final-round 66 to earn a comprehensive six-shot victory at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open to become the third rookie to taste victory this season.
The 22-year-old entered the Sunday at El Camaleon Golf Course a shot behind overnight leader Jenny Bae but took the lead instantly thanks to a birdie at the opening hole. From there, Iwai kept control of the event and played her best round of the week, with four consecutive birdies through holes 3 to 6. She made birdie from 4 feet at the 3rd, then another from 7-feet at the 4th. She chipped in her third from close to the water off the green to 2-feet to make another birdie at the 5th and then ended her streak with a 15-foot putt on the 6th.
After the turn, two more birdies followed at 10 and 13, and Iwai’s sole bogey of the final round came at 14. Nobody could put out a serious challenge on the Japanese golfer as she carded a 6-under 66 to end the tournament on 12 under, comfortably ahead of everyone else.
“I wouldn’t have thought I’d be able to win a tournament this early (in my career). I’m really happy,” Iwai said following her win.
Prior to receiving her LPGA card, Iwai already had eight Japan LPGA victories under her belt. Her impressive win at Mayakoba is one to remember as it matched the largest six-shot margin made this year previously by Rio Takeda at China’s Blue Bay LPGA.
Bae, Iwai closest challenger, failed to produce a consistent display, grappling with a string of bogeys throughout for almost every birdie she made. She sunk a birdie at the last to end on a positive note and seal a runner-up finish.
“It just tells me that I have a long ways to go but also I’m also getting there, too,” Bae said. “So I’m happy. I definitely know what I need to work on for the week off for me. Hopefully I’ll be able to score better at the next tournament.”
A shot back from Bae was South Korea’s Haeji Kang in third while fourth was shared by five players at 4 under, including Sweden’s Linn Grant, China’s Weiwei Zhang, South Korea’s Jenny Shin, Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Cho.
Coming off two recent runner-up finishes this season, Iwai’s twin sister Akie Iwai was also in the field claiming a share of 16th place at 2 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the LPGA Tour schedule is the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally taking place between 29 May – 1 June at Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin, U.S.