Akie Iwai continues her impressive performance at the CPKC Women’s Open. The Japanese golfer scored seven birdies, including four on the back nine, to lead the Canadian women’s golf championship at 7 under on Thursday. This comes just a few days after her victory at the Standard Portland Classic, marking her first LPGA Tour title. Iwai emphasized the importance of maintaining a fresh mindset for each new tournament.
In a dramatic finish, Iwai’s consecutive birdies in the closing holes propelled her ahead of a group of players who had held the lead earlier in the day. Among them were Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, and Megan Khang, all tied at 5 under after the morning session. Deng, a 15-year-old talent born in Calgary, recently made history as the first Canadian golfer to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.
Reflecting on her performance, Iwai credited her focused mindset and smooth swing tempo for creating numerous birdie opportunities. Notable players like World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand and Ireland’s Leona Maguire also posted impressive 5-under 66 rounds in the afternoon wave, joining the group tied for second place. Thitikul, in particular, faced the added pressure of competing after securing the top spot in the women’s world golf rankings.
Meanwhile, Megan Khang, whose sole LPGA Tour victory came at the Women’s Open in 2023, expressed the challenge of defending her title in a new setting. Despite the change in location, Khang acknowledged the pressure to perform well at the only LPGA Tour event held in Canada. Canadian star Brooke Henderson, the top-ranked Canadian on the LPGA Tour, overcame a rough start to finish the day at even par, tied for 38th place.
Henderson shared her gratitude for her resilience and determination, especially after a challenging beginning to the tournament. She highlighted the support of her caddie and sister, Britt, in helping her regain momentum and stay competitive. Looking ahead, Henderson aims to build on her performance and maintain a positive trajectory in the upcoming rounds.