PORTLAND, Oregon – Japan’s Akie Iwai cruised to a four-shot win Sunday at the Standard Portland Classic for her first U.S. LPGA Tour title, joining her sister Chisato as a winner and making them the first twins to claim tour victories.
The 23-year-old tour rookie led by two strokes after three rounds at the par-72 Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A flawless final-round 66, on the back of six birdies, secured the victory at 24-under 264 ahead of American Gurleen Kaur.
Her sister Chisato, also a tour rookie, won her first title in May at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open. She finished one shot behind Kaur in a tie for third after posting a 64 on Sunday, thanks in part to two eagles.
“It was very tough getting to this point, but I was really happy I managed to break through,” said Akie, who said she was “frustrated” after two runner-up finishes earlier this year.
She sank back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6 before adding four more on the back nine, including two straight on 17 and 18 to close out the win.
“I was focused throughout,” said the Saitama Prefecture native, whose game is built around her length off the tee. “It’s a title won thanks to everyone on the team, and it’s really been a memorable day.”
She becomes the fifth Japanese winner on the tour this year, joining her sister, Rio Takeda, Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita, who won the Women’s British Open this month.
The organizers said the Iwais are the fourth pair of sisters to win on the tour, joining Jessica and Nelly Korda, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam.
BY: The Times Union
