Chizzy Iwai – Photo by Max Bechtoldt/Women’s Golf Daily News
Chizzy Iwai, the second year rising star from Japan, had a blazing, course record 63 at the JM Eagle LA Championship in the first round.
Iwai got off to a start that made it look like everyone in attendance could be in for something historic. After a par on her first hole of the day, Iwai rattled off five birdies in a row before making an eagle on the par 5 seventh hole. Suddenly, she sat -7 thru seven and had a three shot lead.
Iwai did slow down a bit from there, taking the chances of a 59 out of play. She did make birdie on the 10th hole of her day and another on hole five, her 14th of the day. She didn’t drop any shots and hit only 27 putts after making 17 greens in regulation.
The 23-year-old from Japan now holds a two-stroke lead over Patty Tavatanakit, the UCLA Bruin returning to the city she played her college golf, shooting a fantastic -7 65, with 16 greens hit and some solid putting.
Iwai is looking to win for the second time in her short LPGA Tour career, she won the event in Mexico in 2025, which she will be defending in just a couple of weeks.
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