Aug 21, 2025, 08:07 PM ET<\/p>\n
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Akie Iwai was right back on top of the leaderboard in the CPKC Women’s Open on Thursday, four days after her breakthrough victory in the Portland Classic.<\/p>\n
Iwai closed her afternoon round at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club with birdies on the par-4 eighth and ninth holes for a 7-under 64 and a two-stroke lead.<\/p>\n
“Last week I won, but already it’s in the past, already past,” Iwai said.<\/p>\n
Fifteen-year-old Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng was tied for second with top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul, Leona Maguire<\/a>, Gaby Lopez<\/a> and 2023 winner Megan Khang.<\/p>\n On Sunday in Oregon, Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner. The 23-year-old Japanese player had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico.<\/p>\n She’s playing in Canada for the first time.<\/p>\n “Really beautiful course,” said Akie Iwai, a six-time winner on the JLPGA Tour. “Looks like something similar in Japan course.”<\/p>\n Chisato Iwai bogeyed Nos. 8 and 9 to shoot 75.<\/p>\n Deng was born in Calgary, Alberta, and her family lived in Montreal before moving to New Jersey for her father’s work. She mostly lives now in Orlando, Florida, but remains a Canadian citizen and plays for Golf Canada’s junior program.<\/p>\n “Just trying to hit each shot and play in the fairway,” Deng said.<\/p>\n Thitikul played her first round since taking the top spot in the world from Nelly Korda<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I think just like another day at work for me,” Thitikul said.<\/p>\n Korda opened with a 69.<\/p>\n