Andy DevaneyThe Standard Portland Classic turned into a coming-of-age performance on Sunday, with Japan’s Akie Iwai delivering the kind of bogey-free masterclass that makes seasoned pros look nervy.
A closing 6-under 66 handed her a maiden LPGA Tour title and the Rolex First-Time Winner badge that felt about as inevitable as rain in Portland.
She didn’t just hold her nerve—she iced it. Birdies at 17 and 18 sealed the deal with all the fuss of someone putting away the groceries.
A Week Polished to Perfection
Let’s not dress it up: Iwai didn’t just win the Standard Portland Classic, she took it apart. Six birdies on Sunday, a 32 on the back nine, and only two bogeys the entire week. Her final round included 26 putts—more precision than artistry, but every bit as lethal.
Her last bogey? Hole two, round three. After that, she slammed the door shut.
This wasn’t her first time in contention. She’d already collected runner-up finishes at the JM Eagle LA Championship and Honda LPGA Thailand. This week, though, she didn’t just knock on the door—she kicked it clean off the hinges.
“Actually, just very happy, but frankly, I want more,” Iwai said. Straight talk from a player who doesn’t sound remotely satisfied with one trophy.
The Pursuit Pack
Gurleen Kaur made her presence known early with a birdie-birdie-birdie start en route to a bogey-free 65, finishing four shots back at 20-under—her career-best LPGA finish and first top-10.
“I think it just shows I have the capability to win out here,” Kaur said. “Obviously I wanted to win of course, but, yeah, happy overall.”
Sweden’s Linn Grant and Iwai’s twin sister Chisato shared third at 19-under. Grant’s steady 67 was all business, while Chisato threw petrol on the leaderboard with a 64 that included two eagles and a scarcely believable eagle-birdie-eagle stretch from holes 5 through 7.
“For my mentality, it’s just been nice to kind of be able to like see my vision come alive,” said Grant, as serene as a Scandinavian spa.
Final Round Leaderboard – Standard Portland Classic
- 1. Akie Iwai –24 (66; six birdies, 26 putts)
- 2. Gurleen Kaur –20 (65; seven birdies, bogey-free)
- T3. Linn Grant –19 (67; seven birdies)
- T3. Chisato Iwai –19 (64; two eagles, six birdies)
- 5. Grace Kim –18
- 6. Aditi Ashok –17
- T7. Kiara Romero (a) –16
- T7. Sung Hyun Park –16
Subplots and Surprises
Grace Kim’s putting stroke caught fire, leaving her pleasantly baffled.
“Everyone says putting is the money-maker… I’ve had a few more mid-ranges go in this week,” Kim admitted.
India’s Aditi Ashok fought through illness to post 17-under and another top-10.
“I was kind of under the weather… but I feel like I got better each day, which was good to see,” she said.
And then there was Sung Hyun Park, who began her Sunday with seven birdies in her first seven holes. For a moment, the record books were sweating.
A Rookie Revolution with Japanese Bite
This season’s LPGA theme? Youth with teeth. Iwai became the third straight Rolex First-Time Winner, the 10th of the year, and the fourth Japanese champion in Portland’s history.
Her triumph also adds the Iwai twins to the rare sister-act winners club, joining the Kordas, Jutanugarns, and Sörenstams.
“Yeah, so many Japanese people this year won, so inspired me. That’s why I will do my best,” Iwai said. Her “best” just won the Standard Portland Classic, so the rest of the Tour might want to sleep with one eye open.
Romero’s Rookie Spark
Amateur Kiara Romero, playing on a sponsor invite, finished tied-seventh at 16-under. That result earned her two points in the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) and a highlight reel to boot.
“This week I definitely got a few points on the board… I’m just really excited for the future,” Romero said.
At this rate, her future looks less like “someday” and more like “any minute now.”
By the Numbers – Akie Iwai
- Rolex Ranking: No. 29
- 2025 Race to CME Globe: 14th
- LPGA Top-10s in 2025: 4 (including 1 win)
- Official Earnings: $1.02M
- Season Form: 17 starts, 12 cuts, 3 podiums
- Background: 6 wins on JLPGA; LPGA card via Final Qualifying
Final Word
The Standard Portland Classic didn’t just hand out another trophy—it unveiled a new force. Akie Iwai didn’t tiptoe to victory; she marched in, smiled for the cameras, and left with the silverware.
Clutch. Composed. And very possibly, just getting started.
