LPGA rookie bounces back after slow-play penalty in Utah to contend at Liberty National
One week after LPGA rookie Chisato Iwai received a two-stroke penalty for slow play, she's back in the mix at the rainy Mizuho Americas Open. Iwai carded a second-round 5-under 67 at Liberty National and currently sits in the top 10.
Iwai, 22, was assessed the slow-play penalty during the second round of the Black Desert Championship, where she ultimately missed the cut by two. It marked the second second slow-penalty of the season after the tour released a new stricter Pace of Play Policy that went into effect in March.
"At first I was really shocked, and it really did get to me," Iwai said through an interpreter. "But after the penalty was finalized I had time to talk about it with the team and it was a good learning experience moving forward."
Iwai went on to say that she'd be more mindful of her time going forward. When asked if she'd ever considered herself to be a slow player, she said "absolutely not."
Earlier this season at the T-Mobile Match Play, Hira Naveed was assessed a one-stroke penalty for slow play on the 16th hole. The penalty did not impact the outcome, however, as she had already lost the hole.
Iwai, currently No. 44 in the Rolex Rankings, joined the tour at the same time as twin sister, Akie, who is ranked 22nd. Akie already has two runner-up finishes this season. Chisato is an eight-time winner on the JLPGA while Akie has won six times.
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