Days after the first LPGA Tour -victory, Akie Iwai CPKC Women’s open open

Akie Iwai Leads CPKC Women’s Open After Breakthrough Victory
Akie Iwai from Japan looks open on the last hole in the first round of the Canadian ladies in Mississaugua Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. On Thursday.
Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Akie Iwai continued her impressive form at the CPKC Women’s Open, taking the lead with a stellar performance in the first round, just four days after her victory in the Portland Classic.
Closing her round at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club with Birdies on the Par-fourth and ninth holes, Iwai finished with a seven-under 64, giving her a two-stroke lead.
Reflecting on her recent success, Iwai humbly stated, “I won last week, but it is already over in the past.”
Fifteen-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng impressed as she tied for second place with top-ranked players Jeeno Thitikul, Leona Maguire, Gaby Lopez, and 2023 winner Megan Khang.
Aphrodite Deng steals the spotlight at the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open
Having clinched her first LPGA Tour victory alongside her sister Chisato in Oregon, Iwai showcased her talent once again on Canadian soil. The six-time JLPGA Tour winner expressed her admiration for the course, likening it to those in Japan.
Chisato Iwai faced some challenges during her round, finishing with a score of 75 after bogeys on Nos. 8 and 9.
Thitikul, who recently dethroned Nelly Korda as the world number one, maintained her composure, describing the tournament as just “another day at work.”
Canadian fan favorite Brooke Henderson put on a solid performance with four birdies and four bogeys, finishing with a score of 71. The 2018 champion expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete once again.
Defending champion Lauren Coughlin also joined the fray, posting a score of 74 after her victory in Calgary last year.