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NBC Sports
31-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Japanese players dominate early at AIG Women's Open as Lottie Woad shoots even par
Relive the biggest moments and top shots from first-round action at the 2025 AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl Golf Course, the LPGA Tour's final major of the season. PORTHCAWL, Wales — Rio Takeda overcame a double bogey at the turn with four birdies over her final seven holes Thursday for a 5-under 67 to share the lead with Eri Okayama in an AIG Women's Open that featured a Japanese surge and a mixed day for Lottie Woad. Japanese players held the top three spots at Royal Porthcawl, with Miyu Yamashita at 68. Three others were among the top 12 after an opening round in which the wind kept anyone from going low but about half the field was at par or better. Takeda, one of 20 players who have won on the LPGA Tour this year, took a double bogey on the par-5 ninth hole, only to rally over the closing hole to make up ground. Okayama, who plays the Japan LPGA, hit fairway metal to 12 feet on No. 17 for her final birdie. Woad started the month as the No. 1 amateur in women's golf. She won on the Ladies European Tour, missed a playoff by one shot in an LPGA major and then won the Women's Scottish Open against a strong field in her pro debut. She was the betting favorite at the final major of the year and did well to stay in the mix with a birdie on the par-5 18th for an even-par 72. Woad played alongside defending champion Lydia Ko (73) and Lilia Vu, a double major winner from two years ago, who had a 74. 'Had a good amount of birdies, just a few poor bogeys on the front nine that could have definitely been avoided,' Woad said. 'Nice to finish on par and birdie the last. It's one of those rounds that could have definitely gotten away from me. I am happy how I hung in there and got a decent round together.' Nelly Korda, whose No. 1 ranking she has held for the last 16 months is in jeopardy, had an early bogey and kept a clean card the rest of the way, adding three birdies for a 70. Much like Woad, that round could have produced a much higher score if not for a series of key pars, none bigger than Korda's 12-footer on No. 16. 'Sometimes you have to get lucky when you make the wrong decision. You kind of have to bail yourself out,' said Korda, still looking for her first win this year after seven titles last season. Korda and Woad played in the afternoon, when the wind began to blow harder off the Bristol Channel, and faced a quick turnaround before starting the second round in the morning. Mao Saigo, who won the first LPGA major of the year at the Chevron Championship, and Riviera Maya Open winner Chisato Iwai were in the large group at 69. That also included Mimi Rhodes of England, who leads the LET money list with three titles. Rhodes grew up playing across the Bristol Channel, and she came over a month ago to see Royal Porthcawl ahead of her first Women's British Open. The wind was strong that day, which made Thursday feel more manageable. 'The members told me it was the windiest they'd ever seen it, so I played it like with a lot of wind,' Rhodes said. 'So yeah, maybe I played it when it was at its toughest and now I just think it's easier.'
San Francisco Chronicle
20-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Scottie Scheffler wins the British Open for the third leg of the career Grand Slam
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler had all the time in the world to celebrate his latest major title. This British Open was never in doubt Sunday as golf's No. 1 player delivered another dominant performance to win his second major this year and grab the third leg of the career Grand Slam. Scheffler began with a shot into 10 inches for birdie. One hour into the final round, his lead already was seven shots and no one got closer than four the rest of the way at Royal Portrush. He closed with a 3-under 68 for a four-shot victory, sending him to the U.S. Open next year with a chance to make it a clean sweep of golf's biggest titles. Scheffler won the Masters by three shots in 2022 and by four shots last year. He won the PGA Championship by five shots in May. Scheffler finished at 17-under 267 for his fourth victory of the year. He's the first player in the last century to win his first four majors by at least three shots. He has won 20 times worldwide since February 2022, and this was the 11th straight time he turned a 54-hole lead into a victory. Harris English was second after a 66. Chris Gotterup had a 67 to finish third at 12 under. Korn Ferry Tour SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Chandler Blanchet led wire-to-wire in the Price Cutter Charity Championship for his first Korn Ferry Tour title, closing with a 4-under 68 for a three-stroke victory. Blanchet finished at 27-under 261 at Highland Springs Country Club, a stroke off the tournament record set by David Kocher in 2022. Blanchet opened with consecutive 62s and shot a 69 on Saturday. Patrick Welch was second after a 63. Sudarshan Yellamaraju (65) and Brendan Valdes (67) tied for third at 22 under. Other tours Briana Chacon won the Casella Golf Championship at Pinehaven in Guilderland, New York, for her second Epson Tour victory of the season and third overall. She closed with a 4-under 67 to finish at 9 under, a stroke ahead of Laetitia Beck. ... JC Ritchie of South Africa won the German Challenge at Wittelsbacher by eight strokes for his fifth career Challenge Tour title. He shot a 6-under 66 to finish at 24 under. ... Sakura Koiwai shot a 6-under 66 for a one-stroke victory over four players in the Japan LPGA's Meiji Yasuda Ladies. She finished at 14 under. ___
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Chisato Iwai wins Mexico Riviera Maya Open by 6 shots for first LPGA title
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Chisato Iwai took a tournament up for grabs and turned it into her own highlight show Sunday, making five birdies in her opening six holes for a 6-under 66 and a six-shot victory in the Mexico Riviera Maya Open for her first LPGA title. Iwai led from the opening hole at El Camaleon when she made birdie and Jenny Bae made bogey, and the 22-year-old from Japan was on her way. 'My mental is so calm — calm every day, every time,' Iwai said. She ran off four straight birdies, poured in every putt that mattered and then cruised home to become the third LPGA rookie to win this season. Iwai, whose twin sister Akie Iwai has been runner-up twice this year, finished at 12-under 276. Bae had a one-shot lead going into the final round at Mayakoba, and the 10 players behind her also had never experienced winning on the LPGA Tour. It didn't take long for Iwai, who had eight wins on the Japan LPGA before getting her LPGA card, to turn this into a rout. She hit wedge to four feet on the third hole for birdie. She rolled in a seven-foot birdie putt on the fourth. Her approach to the par-5 fifth was right of the green, close to the water, and she calmly chipped that to two feet for a third straight birdie. Iwai finished the big birdie run with a 15-foot putt on No. 6. Bae bogeyed the opening two holes and never caught up. She steadied herself on the back nine to salvage a 73 and a runner-up finish. 'It just tells me that I have a long ways to go but also I'm also getting there, too,' Bae said. 'So I'm happy. I definitely know what I need to work on for the week off for me. Hopefully I'll be able to score better at the next tournament.' The six-shot victory for Iwai matched the largest margin this year. Rio Takeda of Japan also won by six at the Blue Bay LPGA in China. Iwai took off early and it seemed as though everyone simply cleared out of her way. Gabriela Ruffels, who birdied five of her final six holes on Saturday to get within two shots of the lead, made only one birdie in her round of 76. Miranda Wang, who stayed in the game with clutch par putts down the stretch in the third round, closed with a 76 without making a birdie. Yahui Zhang made bogey on six of her final seven holes for a 78. Iwai won $375,000 for her first title. It's the first time in 10 years the LPGA has had three rookies win before the end of May. Canadian Maddie Szeryk finished in a three-way tie for 60th at 8 over. The LPGA returned to Mexico for the first time since 2017 and didn't attract a strong field with the U.S. Women's Open next week at Erin Hills is Wisconsin. Charley Hull at No. 15 was the highest-ranked player in the field. She didn't break 70 all week and tied for 32nd. ___ AP golf:
Winnipeg Free Press
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Chisato Iwai wins Mexico Riviera Maya Open by 6 shots for first LPGA title
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico (AP) — Chisato Iwai took a tournament up for grabs and turned it into her own highlight show Sunday, making five birdies in her opening six holes for a 6-under 66 and a six-shot victory in the Mexico Riviera Maya Open for her first LPGA title. Iwai led from the opening hole at El Camaleon when she made birdie and Jenny Bae made bogey, and the 22-year-old from Japan was on her way. 'My mental is so calm — calm every day, every time,' Iwai said. She ran off four straight birdies, poured in every putt that mattered and then cruised home to become the third LPGA rookie to win this season. Iwai, whose twin sister Akie Iwai has been runner-up twice this year, finished at 12-under 276. Bae had a one-shot lead going into the final round at Mayakoba, and the 10 players behind her also had never experienced winning on the LPGA Tour. It didn't take long for Iwai, who had eight wins on the Japan LPGA before getting her LPGA card, to turn this into a rout. She hit wedge to four feet on the third hole for birdie. She rolled in a seven-foot birdie putt on the fourth. Her approach to the par-5 fifth was right of the green, close to the water, and she calmly chipped that to two feet for a third straight birdie. Iwai finished the big birdie run with a 15-foot putt on No. 6. Bae bogeyed the opening two holes and never caught up. She steadied herself on the back nine to salvage a 73 and a runner-up finish. 'It just tells me that I have a long ways to go but also I'm also getting there, too,' Bae said. 'So I'm happy. I definitely know what I need to work on for the week off for me. Hopefully I'll be able to score better at the next tournament.' The six-shot victory for Iwai matched the largest margin this year. Rio Takeda of Japan also won by six at the Blue Bay LPGA in China. Iwai took off early and it seemed as though everyone simply cleared out of her way. Gabriela Ruffels, who birdied five of her final six holes on Saturday to get within two shots of the lead, made only one birdie in her round of 76. Miranda Wang, who stayed in the game with clutch par putts down the stretch in the third round, closed with a 76 without making a birdie. Yahui Zhang made bogey on six of her final seven holes for a 78. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Iwai won $375,000 for her first title. It's the first time in 10 years the LPGA has had three rookies win before the end of May. Canadian Maddie Szeryk finished in a three-way tie for 60th at 8 over. The LPGA returned to Mexico for the first time since 2017 and didn't attract a strong field with the U.S. Women's Open next week at Erin Hills is Wisconsin. Charley Hull at No. 15 was the highest-ranked player in the field. She didn't break 70 all week and tied for 32nd. ___ AP golf:
Japan Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
Chisato Iwai wins Mexico Riviera Maya Open by 6 shots for first LPGA title
Chisato Iwai, of Japan, hits from the second tee during the third round of the Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Saturday, April 26, 2025, in The Woodlands, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) golf Chisato Iwai took a tournament up for grabs and turned it into her own highlight show Sunday, making five birdies in her opening six holes for a 6-under 66 and a six-shot victory in the Mexico Riviera Maya Open for her first LPGA title. Iwai led from the opening hole at El Camaleon when she made birdie and Jenny Bae made bogey, and the 22-year-old from Japan was on her way. 'My mental is so calm — calm every day, every time,' Iwai said. She ran off four straight birdies, poured in every putt that mattered and then cruised home to become the third LPGA rookie to win this season. Iwai, whose twin sister Akie Iwai has been runner-up twice this year, finished at 12-under 276. Bae had a one-shot lead going into the final round at Mayakoba, and the 10 players behind her also had never experienced winning on the LPGA Tour. It didn't take long for Iwai, who had eight wins on the Japan LPGA before getting her LPGA card, to turn this into a rout. She hit wedge to 4 feet on the third hole for birdie. She rolled in a 7-foot birdie putt on the fourth. Her approach to the par-5 fifth was right of the green, close to the water, and she calmly chipped that to 2 feet for a third straight birdie. Iwai finished the big birdie run with a 15-foot putt on No. 6. Bae bogeyed the opening two holes and never caught up. She steadied herself on the back nine to salvage a 73 and a runner-up finish. 'It just tells me that I have a long ways to go but also I'm also getting there, too,' Bae said. 'So I'm happy. I definitely know what I need to work on for the week off for me. Hopefully I'll be able to score better at the next tournament.' The six-shot victory for Iwai matched the largest margin this year. Rio Takeda of Japan also won by six at the Blue Bay LPGA in China. Iwai took off early and it seemed as though everyone simply cleared out of her way. Gabriela Ruffels, who birdied five of her last six holes on Saturday to get within two shots of the lead, made only one birdie in her round of 76. Miranda Wang, who stayed in the game with clutch par putts down the stretch in the third round, closed with a 76 without making a birdie. Yahui Zhang made bogey on six of her last seven holes for a 78. Iwai won $375,000 for her first title. It's the first time in 10 years the LPGA has had three rookies win before the end of May. The LPGA returned to Mexico for the first time since 2017 and didn't attract a strong field with the U.S. Women's Open next week at Erin Hills is Wisconsin. Charley Hull at No. 15 was the highest-ranked player in the field. She didn't break 70 all week and tied for 32nd. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
