Akie Iwai of Saitama Prefecture, Japan is the round one leader at the 2026 Evian Masters in France. Iwai had a first round score of eight-under-par after shooting a score of 63.
Iwai had eight birdies and zero bogeys. She birdied the fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, and 18th holes. Iwai has won once on the LPGA Tour. That came in Portland in 2025. Six of her professional wins have come on the LPGA of Japan Tour. When speaking of Akie Iwai, one cannot get confused with Chisato Iwai. Both Chisato and Akie Iwai are twin sisters and born on July 5, 2002. Chisato Iwai also plays on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
Twice before Akie Iwai has been in the top 10 at a major. She was seventh at the 2024 Women’s British Open at the historic St. Andrews, and 10th at the 2024 Evian Championship. Once before Iwai has been in contention after the first round of a major. That came at the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship in Seattle. Iwai was at -2, tied for fourth place. and two strokes back of the leader, Lexi Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida. Iwai finished the tournament in 32nd place.
There are currently six players in contention. Perrine Delacour of Laon, France is alone in second place at -6. Then there is a five-way tie for third place at -5. Those golfers three strokes back are Hae-ran Ryu of Geumjeong-myeon, South Korea, Mao Saigo of Funabashi, Japan, Jin Hee Im of Jeju Province, South Korea, Maja Stark of Skurup, Sweden and Charley Hull of Kettering, England. Ryu, Saigo, and Stark are major champions. Saigo won the 2025 Chevron Championship, Stark won the 2025 United States Women’s Open, and Ryu won the 2026 Women’s PGA Championship.
