“I just feel like it is too early for me to play in LPGA. But I want to be a player on the LPGA tour in near future,” said a Japanese youngster in her early 20s. It was 2023, and Akie Iwai, then a JLPGA pro on the verge of breakout took the limelight thanks to a blistering 9-under 63. 

It was an announcement of the arrival of another young Japanese female pro. Following in the footsteps of Yuka Saso, Nasa Hataoka, Mone Inami, and the like, Iawi joined the LPGA Tour eventually. Only two years since that flash interview at the Taiheiyo Club Minori Course in Omitama, she was leading once again, this time shattering the course record with a marvelous 10-under 62 at the Honda Classic Thailand. So, it’s about time you knew more about Akie Iwai. 

Akie Iwai picked up golf quite early and never looked back

Akie Iwai was born on July 5, 2022, in Japan. Like most Japanese pros who are currently playing in the LPGA Tour, Iwai picked up golf quite early, at the age of eight as she herself told the reporters at the 2024 Women’s PGA Championship. Iwai’s brilliance shone through at quite an early stage.

At 16, she was part of the 2019 Junior Golf World Cup winning team. An excellent amateur career paved the way for an early entrance into the JLPGA. She joined the top circuit of Japanese female golf in 2021. Fittingly, she won on the Step-Up Tour at the 2021 Sanyoshimbun Ladies Cup and also bagged the JLPGA Rookies Championship Kaga Electronics Cup in 2021. 

In the JLPGA, she has won a total of six times in just two years (2023,24). For Iwai, joining the LPGA Tour wasn’t a question of how but rather when. Even before she became a cardholder, Iwai teed off in 11 LPGA Tour events, bagging two top-10 finishes. Two of them came at the majors –  two of which were earned at LPGA Tour major championships: a T7 at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open and a T10 at the 2024 Amundi Evian Championship. 

Iwai earned her LPGA Tour card via the Q-School. Last year, the 22-year-old netted a joint 5th in the Qualifying School shooting 16-under. As a cardholder, she debuted at the Founders Cup but missed the cut. Akie Iwai actually was one of the two members of the family to earn a 2025 LPGA Tour card. The other one? Her twin sister: Chisato Iwai.

Akie Iwai has a twin sister and they are both competitive 

The Iwai twin’s careers have followed a similar trajectory with each other. Chisato actually surpasses her sister in JLPGA. She has seven wins compared to six from Akie. They started playing golf at the same age, had a successful JLPGA season last year, and joined the LPGA Tour at the same age, They cite each other as their biggest inspiration as well. 

Akie Iwai believes her younger sister is a better putter, however. “Good putting touch,” said Akie when asked about what separates her sister’s game from hers. But Akie also suggested that she is more aggressive among the two. Jisato plays more safely than her. 

The duo keeps needling each other while teeing off in practice rounds. In an interview, Akie Iwai shared that while they do like to compete, no one really leaves an inch to the other. Asked if they wanted to beat each other while playing for fun, Akie Iwai nodded in agreement. 

But they are also their biggest supporter. The Iwai sisters had a remarkable 2024 in JLPGA. “Last year was the best year for us, when we won multiple victories and earned a spot on the LPGA Tour.” Now, they both are making waves in the top circuit of women’s professional golf. 

What are Akie Iwai’s hobbies and personal interests?

The 22-year-old hasn’t divulged any details about her dating life. Her Instagram feed is mostly filled with pictures of her vacationing or playing golf with her sister. The twins, by the way, also run an Instagram handle dedicated to their golfing adventures. Aside from golf, Iwai takes a keen interest in Softball. She is a fan of Honda Reverta, a Japanese Softball team based out of Mooka, Tochigi. Last year, she shared snippets from a practice session with the team.

Akie Iwai also likes to play guitar whenever she can. Last June, the LPGA pro posted a video of her playing the guitar with the caption ‘Sing along if you can.’ She is versatile, no doubt. But currently, the 22-year-old is focused only on golf. And leaving her mark in the LPGA Tour in her rookie season.