Chizzy Iwai delivered a masterclass performance in the opening round of the JM Eagle LA Championship on Thursday, carding a spectacular 9-under 63 to establish a commanding two-stroke lead at El Caballero Country Club.
The 23-year-old Japanese player got off to a blistering start, playing her first seven holes in 7-under par. After opening with a par on the 10th hole, Iwai caught fire with five consecutive birdies before crowning her hot streak with an eagle on the par-5 16th.
"Good tee time in morning, so very peaceful and I feel comfortable," Iwai said after her round. "I had a feeling so relaxing. I had a good feeling."
Iwai's torrid pace continued on her back nine, where she added birdies on the first and fifth holes. Her 63 matched the lowest score recorded in the two years the tournament has been played at El Caballero, the tree-lined course that has substituted for Wilshire Country Club due to ongoing renovations.
The round was so exceptional that Iwai briefly entertained thoughts of achieving golf's most elusive milestone. "A little bit thinking 58 or 59," she admitted. "But golf is not easy."
Chasing Iwai at 7-under 65 is a trio of players tied for second place: former UCLA standout Patty Tavatanakit, Sei Young Kim, and Suvichaya Vinijchaitham. Tavatanakit posted eight birdies against one bogey during her morning session.
"My ball-striking felt really good," Tavatanakit said. "Just a solid day. Made a lot of putts."
Lauren Coughlin, fresh off her victory two weeks ago at Shadow Creek outside Las Vegas, leads a group at 6-under 66. Hannah Green, who claimed the title in both 2023 and 2024 when the tournament was held at Wilshire, sits at 5-under 67.
"I just feel very comfortable when I'm back here in L.A.," Green said. "Doesn't really matter if it's Wilshire."
The Australian has been in stellar form this year with three worldwide victories, including the HSBC Women's World Championship on the LPGA Tour, along with the Women's Australian Open and Australian WPGA.
At 4-under 68, Hyo Joo Kim and former UCLA star Lilia Vu round out the early contenders. Kim currently leads the tour with two victories, having won in consecutive weeks in the Bay Area and Arizona.
The tournament holds special significance for the Iwai family. Chizzy captured her first LPGA Tour victory last year at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open, while her twin sister Akie finished second at El Caballero a year ago before claiming her maiden LPGA title at the Portland Classic last summer. Akie struggled to match her sister's magic on Thursday, shooting an even-par 70 while playing in the group directly ahead.
Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng also posted a solid 68, while fellow amateur Asterisk Talley recovered from an early double bogey to card a 2-under 70 in the 17-year-old's first start since losing the lead on the back nine at the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Defending champion Ingrid Lindblad opened with a 3-under 69, while former UCLA player Alison Lee matched that score in her first event following maternity leave in 2025. Former USC player Lizette Salas, playing for the first time since 2024 after recovering from a back injury, posted a 1-over 72.
The JM Eagle LA Championship serves as the final tune-up before next week's major championship, the Chevron Championship in Houston. With Iwai's stunning opening statement, the stage is set for an intriguing weekend as players look to either chase down the leader or establish themselves for the season's first major.
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*Originally published on [Golf News Global](https://golfnews.global/article/chizzy-iwai-fires-63-to-take-two-shot-lead-at-jm-eagle-la-championship). Visit for full coverage.*
