Iwai wins Portland Classic to join twin sister Chisato as rookie champion

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Akie Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner Sunday at Columbia Edgewater, closing with a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke victory in The Standard Portland Classic. Akie Iwai capped the bogey-free round with birdies on the final two holes, running in an 18-footer on the last before Chisato rushed on the green and sprayed her with champagne. The 23-year-old Japanese player broke through in her first season on the LPGA Tour after winning six times on the JLPGA Tour. She had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico. On Sunday, Chisato Iwai shot a 64 to tie for third, five strokes back. "This is a special year for us," Akie Iwai said. Their parents shared in the victory. "When I saw my mom crying, oh," Akie Iwai said. She's the fifth player from Japan to win this season, following her sister, Rio Takeda, Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita. "So many Japanese people this year won, so inspired me," Akie Iwai said. They are fourth set of sisters to win on the LPGA Tour, joining Jessica and Nelly Korda, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam. The winner finished at 24-under 264 on the tree-lined course. She opened with consecutive 67s, then shot a 64 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round. American Gurleen Kaur was a career-best second, closing with a 65. "I think it's super exciting," Kaur said. "We're playing in Canada next week with a stronger field as well, so excited about that. Carrying that good momentum from here to there." Linn Grant of Sweden had a 67 to join Chisato Iwai at 19 under. Grace Kim of Australia was 18 under after a 70. Amateur Kiara Romero shot a 64 to tie for seventh at 16 under in her first tour start. The University of Oregon player won the 2023 U.S. Girls' Junior and 2025 Big Ten title. "It feels great to just play really well my first LPGA event," Romero said." Kind of gives me a lot of confidence going into the school year... All the Ducks fans are out here. So, we had a big crowd and a lot of people cheering me on, so it meant a lot to put a good week." The tournament is the longest continuous event on the LPGA Tour except for the majors, dating to 1972. ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf