Akie Iwai of Japan prepares for her shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)Angel Yin of the U.S. watches her shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan) .Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand chips the ball on green from the 1st hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Akie Iwai of Japan prepares for her shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, southern Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
PATTAYA – Sponsor invite Akie Iwai of Japan shot a 5-under 67 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after two rounds of the LPGA's Thailand tournament at Siam Country Club's Pattaya Old Course.
After an opening-round 62, Iwai had a two-round total of 13-under 129.
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The 22-year-old Iwai earned her LPGA tour membership after finishing in a tie for fifth at the LPGA Final Qualifier last year.
American Angel Yin shot 64 Friday and was in second place. J eeno Thitikul, the world No. 2 who turned 22 on Thursday, was tied for third place, also after a 64.
“Today, I shot well and putted well. My distance control was good. That’s why I made a lot of birdies,” said Iwai.
The event is the first stop of the LPGA's so-called Asian swing before the tour moves to Singapore and China over the next two weeks.
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