Akie Iwai leads at windy Hoakalei, with 8 players a shot back and Nelly Korda 2 behind

HONOLULU (AP) — Akie Iwai battled gusting winds Friday at Hoakalei Country Club to take the third-round lead in the LOTTE Championship. The 23-year-old Japanese player, who captured her first LPGA Tour title at the Portland Classic last August, shot a 1-under 71 in challenging afternoon conditions to reach 13-under 203.

“No change. Just keep going,” Iwai said. “Have a smile and have fun.”

Second-round leader Youmin Hwang, who posted a career-best 62 on Thursday, struggled with a 75 and dropped into a tie for second alongside Minami Katsu (66), Hyo Joo Kim (66), Megan Khang (67), Peiyun Chien (68), Brooke Matthews (69), Pornanong Phatlum (69), and Jessica Porvasnik (72).

“I’m sure there will be a lot of wind tomorrow, too,” Katsu said. “Hopefully, just try to be patient.”

World No. 2 Nelly Korda birdied the 18th hole for a 69, moving to 11-under. Coming off a season with seven victories, Korda has yet to win this year and recently lost her No. 1 ranking to Jeeno Thitikul.

“For me, the most important thing is giving 100% to every shot,” Korda said. “That’s what I’m going to do tomorrow. You never know. Golf is a crazy sport. Sports are crazy.”

Nasa Hataoka also carded a 71 to sit at 11-under, while defending champion A Lim Kim fired a 66 to reach 10-under.

After a bogey on the par-3 12th, Iwai steadied herself with a sensational up-and-down on the 13th, beginning a stretch of six straight pars. She missed a chance to double her lead on the par-5 18th, blasting out of a bunker to six feet but failing to convert the birdie attempt.

“I forget what happened today and get ready for tomorrow,” Iwai said.

On the par-4 13th, Iwai avoided a second consecutive bogey after finding a massive fairway bunker and leaving her approach 56 yards short in the right rough. She hit a precise wedge to three feet to start her par run. Over three days, she has hit 46 of 54 greens in regulation.

“I would say I’m a shot-maker,” Iwai remarked.

Iwai opened the tournament with a 64 on Wednesday to take the first-round lead, followed by a 68 on Thursday that left her three strokes behind Hwang, a Korean LPGA star playing on a sponsor’s invitation.

Iwai’s twin sister, Chisato, who also won this year as a tour rookie at the Mayakoba event in May, carded a 71 on Friday and stands at 9-under.

Following the LOTTE Championship, the LPGA Tour heads to Asia for five consecutive weeks with tournaments in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan.

___

AP Golf: Copyright.
https://wtop.com/sports/2025/10/akie-iwai-leads-at-windy-hoakalei-with-8-players-a-shot-back-and-nelly-korda-2-behind/

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