HONOLULU – Akie Iwai showcased remarkable resilience and strategic play at Hoakalei Country Club on Friday, seizing the lead in the LOTTE Championship despite challenging, windy conditions. Iwai’s determined performance culminated in a 1-under 71, propelling her to a tournament total of 13-under 203. This victory marks Iwai’s first LPGA Tour title, secured after her triumph at the Portland Classic in August. The difficult afternoon conditions presented a significant obstacle, yet Iwai remained unfazed, emphasizing a consistent approach: "No change. Just keep going."

Her philosophy, coupled with a positive mindset – "Have smile and have fun" – proved crucial to her success. Following closely behind in second place were a group of eight players, all within a stroke of Iwai’s lead. Leading the pack was Youmin Hwang, who maintained her career-best 62 from the previous round with a solid 75, resulting in a total score of 204. Alongside Hwang, a tie for second featured Minami Katsu, Hyo Joo Kim, Megan Khang, Peiyun Chien, Brooke Matthews, Pornanong Phatlum, and Jessica Porvasnik, each recording scores of 66, 67, 68, 69, and 72 respectively. Katsu, a prominent figure in the LPGA, offered a pragmatic outlook: "I'm sure there will be a lot of wind tomorrow, too. Hopefully, just try to be patient."

The tournament’s second-ranked Nelly Korda also maintained her strong form, closing out the round with a birdie on the 18th for a 69, bringing her total to 11 under. Despite a dominant seven-victory season last year, Korda is currently ranked second, having relinquished her No. 1 position to Jeeno Thitikul. Korda’s determination is unwavering: "For me the most important thing is giving 100% to every shot. That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow. You never know. Golf is a crazy sport. Sports are crazy."

Adding to the competitive landscape, Nasa Hataoka sits at 11 under after a 71, while defending champion A Lim Kim secured a 66, placing her at 10 under. Iwai’s strategic play was particularly evident throughout the round. She navigated a challenging situation on the par-3 12th, recovering from a bogey with a sensational up-and-down shot on No. 13, initiating a remarkable six-hole stretch of pars. Despite a near-miss on the par-5 18th, where she left her approach 6 feet from the pin, she ultimately settled for par. On the par-4 13th, Iwai skillfully avoided a potential second bogey, expertly navigating a massive fairway bunker and executing a wedge shot to 3 feet. Iwai highlighted her shot-making abilities, stating, "I would say I'm a shot-maker."

Notably, Iwai’s impressive performance extended to greens in regulation, having hit 46 of 54 greens accurately over the three days. The tournament is set to continue with five consecutive weeks in Asia, starting with events in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan. Iwai’s twin sister, Chisato Iwai, also achieved success this year, securing the Mayakoba event as a tour rookie. On Friday, Chisato Iwai recorded a 9 under after a 71. The LPGA’s next destination is Asia, with a series of tournaments spanning five weeks.