TARZANA, Calif. — Chizzy Iwai had just started her early morning first round of the JM Eagle LA Championship when she looked up and saw something spectacular.
“The view. Did you see the sky? Today I saw in the sky a circle rainbow,” Chizzy said. “We were talking, ‘look at that!’”
Every rainbow is technically a full circle. Perhaps it was a little of the rainbow’s inspiration that had the Japanese star tie a course record nine-under 63 at El Caballero Country Club to take the early lead in the LPGA event. Last year’s winner Ingrid Lindblad, Nasa Hataoka, Yan Liu and Ashleigh Buhai have all shot 63 here.
“It’s not a surprise. I just got confident,” Iwai, 23, said. “If I [shot] 62, it would’ve been better.”
Iwai started on the 10th hole a made par, birdied give in a row and then made eagle at the par-5 16th to shoot 29. After a birdie on the first hole, her 10th, she was in position to do what only one woman has—shoot 59. Lydia Ko had a chance a couple weeks ago but came up one stroke shy as she shot a career-best 60 at the Ford Championship.
In case you were wondering about that eagle putt on 16 😮💨😮💨😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ibaYDYEx5M
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 16, 2026
Asked if she was thinking about a historic round like that, Izzy said: “a little bit thinking 58 or 59 score. But golf is not easy. That’s why I focus on my routine. I don’t think too much.”
Chizzy and her twin sister Akie have played well since they arrived on tour as rookies last season. They are impressive with and without clubs in their hands, because they’re so fun. The LPGA social media team tagged along with them during a practice round Wednesday and chronicled a foot race, and them dancing and singing. Chizzy won the foot race as Akie’s hat blew off. She slowed down when that happened and Akie won.
Chizzy proclaimed herself the better singer, too.
“I think my voice is a little bit high,” Chizzy said while laughing. “Good sound.”
Last year during this event, the Iwai sisters went to a Dodgers game to see superstar Shohei Ohtani. They weren’t able to do that this season. But they are stars in their own right, and Chizzy—who has one LPGA win—is in good position to contend for another tournament title.
“I had a good time tee time in morning, so it was very peaceful and I felt comfortable, relaxed,” Chizzy said. “I had a good feeling. I had fun.”
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
