Aki Iwai changed her name a couple of months ago on the LPGA to help make it easier for American fans (and starters) to **** ounce. After an opening 8-under 63 at the Amundi Evian Championship, it's a good time for golf fans to get to know the more aggressive half of the Iwai sister set.
Iwai's given name is Akie, **** ounced ah-kee-ay, and her nickname is Aki (ah-kee). She told LPGA officials in May that she wanted to go by her nickname going forward. Twin sister Chisato started going by her nickname, Chizzy, on LPGA leaderboards and rankings at the start of the 2026 season. The LPGA's first twins were both rookies — and winners — on the LPGA last year. They have 14 **** les between them on the JLPGA and turned age 24 on July 5. Aki, who was born one minute before her sister, is ranked 24th in the world and Chizzy is 25th.
Aki's bogey-free 63 is the lowest opening round at the Evian since Ayaka Furue in 2022. **** an has three players currently in the top 7, with fellow major winner Mao Saigo carding a 66 and Erika Hara a 67.
"I was able to focus on my golf, and then stay committed," said Iwai of her day, noting that the mountainous Evian Resort reminds her of courses in **** an.
Joining Saigo at 66 is recent KPMG Women's PGA winner Haeran Ryu and Jin Hee Im.