At the Honda LPGA Thailand 2025, held on February 23 at the Siam Country Club Old Course, American golfer Akiie Iwai delivered an impressive performance, but fell just one stroke short of victory.
Entering the final round with considerable momentum, Iwai started five strokes behind the leader, Angel Yin. Despite her challenging position, she showcased exceptional skill, carding one eagle, ten birdies, and only one bogey, resulting in a tournament record score of 61. This left her with a total of 27 under par, just shy of Yin's winning score of 28 under.
Iwai's final day was marked by several highlight moments. She kicked off with an early birdie on the first hole (a par 5), followed by consecutive birdies on the third and fourth holes. This strong start was marred only by one mistake, as she dropped her first and only bogey on the 17th, right after she momentarily pulled to within one shot of Yin's lead.
Reflecting on her competitive spirit, Iwai expressed her feelings after the close finish. "It was really unfortunate to miss certain opportunities today," she noted. "But I was able to play really well, and I felt very focused on my game. It was intense, and I enjoyed every bit of it," Iwai shared with reporters.
The battle for the top spot was fierce, with both Iwai and Yin exchanging leads throughout the final round. Yin, showcasing remarkable steadiness with seven birdies and no bogeys for her final round, managed to maintain her lead.
Over the course of the tournament, Iwai initially shined on the opening day, setting the pace with her own course record of 62, including ten birdies without any bogey. She entered the second round as the sole leader but faced challenges on the third day, managing to stay competitive but slipping back to second place.
Despite her second-place finish, Iwai's performance highlights her young career just two events deep on the LPGA tour. Following her first tournament victory at the KKT Cup Vantelin Ladies event, she has proven to be one of the rising stars of women’s golf.
Alongside Iwai, other notable finishes included Riko Takeda at 15 under par, tying for ninth place, and Yuka Saso, finishing at 12 under, taking 17th place.
The tournament showcased not just intense competition but also the bright future of young golfers like Iwai, who are marking their presence on the international stage. The Honda LPGA Thailand has become known not only for its beautiful backdrop but also for the level of play, as illustrated by Iwai’s record-breaking performance.
The excitement from this tournament leaves fans eager for what is to come next. For Iwai, this second-place finish, albeit disappointing, provides invaluable experience as she builds on her early career successes and looks forward to future tournaments.