Japan’s Chizzy Iwai posted a bogey-free nine-under-par round of 63 on Thursday to grab a two-stroke lead at the LA Championship in Tarzana, California.
Iwai tied the course record in pristine conditions at the El Caballero Country Club.
Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad and South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai each carded 63 at the 2025 event. Lindblad went on to earn her first LPGA victory in the tournament, posting a 21-under four-day total.
Stephanie Meadow was best of the Irish players involved after a one-under par round of 71.
She recovered from three dropped shots through her first four holes and was three under in the final seven holes.
Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh, meanwhile, both carded two-over par rounds of 74.
Leona Maguire in action in California
Korea’s Sei Young Kim and a pair of players from Thailand are two strokes behind Iwai at seven under. Patty Tavatanakit completed her round early in the day while countrywoman Suvichaya Vinijchaitham and Kim were part of the afternoon groups.
Nine players finished tied for fifth at six under, including recent winner Lauren Coughlin and countrywoman Jessica Porvasnik.
Iwai, the 20th-ranked player in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, produced an incredible stretch of golf on the back nine, where she started her round.
She birdied holes 11 through 15, then eagled the par-five 16th hole and posted a score of 29 on the inward half of the course.
She birdied 1 and 5 and played the four par-fives on the course at four under.
Just one of many birdies Chizzy Iwai made today 👀
Tune in on @GolfChannel to see how the rest of the field handles Round 1. pic.twitter.com/WqROwdHaS9
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 16, 2026