Chizzy Iwai records a 63 to take the lead at the LPGA’s JM Eagle LA Championship.
LOS ANGELES — Chizzy Iwai began her round with an impressive 7-under par through the first seven holes, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 16th, finishing with a 9-under 63 on Thursday to secure a two-stroke advantage in the JM Eagle LA Championship.
The event, held at El Caballero Country Club — which is replacing Wilshire Country Club for the second consecutive year due to course renovations — serves as the final tournament before the major Chevron Championship next week in Houston.
Former UCLA player Patty Tavatanakit is tied for second place at 65 alongside Sei Young Kim and Suvichaya Vinijchaitham.
Iwai commenced her morning round with a par on No. 10, followed by five consecutive birdies and an eagle on the 16th.
“Good tee time in the morning, so very peaceful and I feel comfortable,” the 23-year-old Japanese golfer remarked. “I had a feeling so relaxing. I had a good feeling.”
On her second nine, she recorded birdies on Nos. 1 and 5, matching the lowest score achieved in the two years at El Caballero.
“A little bit thinking 58 or 59,” she noted. “But golf is not easy.”
Iwai claimed her first LPGA Tour victory at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open last year. Her twin sister, Akie Iwai, finished second at El Caballero last year and won the Portland Classic last summer for her inaugural LPGA title. Akie Iwai shot 70 on Thursday, competing in the group ahead of her sister.
Tavatanakit recorded eight birdies and one bogey during her morning round.
“My ball-striking felt really good,” Tavatanakit stated. “Just a solid day. Made a lot of putts.”
Lauren Coughlin, who triumphed two weeks ago at Shadow Creek near Las Vegas, led the group with a score of 66.
Hannah Green, the 2023 and 2024 champion at Wilshire, finished with a 67.
“I just feel very comfortable when I’m back here in LA,” Green expressed. “Doesn’t really matter if it’s Wilshire.”
The Australian has secured three victories worldwide this year — the HSBC Women’s World Championship on the LPGA Tour, along with the Women’s Australian Open and the Australian WPGA.
Hyo Joo Kim recorded a score of 68, sharing that score with former UCLA standout Lilia Vu. Kim currently leads the tour with two wins, having triumphed in consecutive weeks in the Bay Area and Arizona.
Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng also posted a score of 68. Fellow amateur Asterisk Talley experienced an early double bogey, finishing with a 70 in her first start since relinquishing the lead on the back nine at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Defending champion Ingrid Lindblad shot a 69. Former UCLA player Alison Lee also recorded a 69 in her first event after maternity leave in 2025.
Former University of Southern California player Lizette Salas finished with a score of 72. She is competing for the first time since 2024 after recovering from a back injury.
