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Chizzy Iwai tied a course record with a nine-under 63 at El Caballero Country Club during the JM Eagle LA Championship. The Japanese golfer was inspired by a spectacular rainbow seen before her round.
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TARZANA, Calif. â Chizzy Iwai had just started her early morning first round of the JM Eagle LA Championship when she looked up and saw something spectacular.
âThe view. Did you see the sky? Today I saw in the sky a circle rainbow,â Chizzy said. âWe were talking, âlook at that!ââ
Every rainbow is technically a full circle. Perhaps it was a little of the rainbowâs inspiration that had the Japanese star tie a course record nine-under 63 at El Caballero Country Club to take the early lead in the LPGA event. Last yearâs winner Ingrid Lindblad, Nasa Hataoka, Yan Liu and Ashleigh Buhai have all shot 63 here.
âItâs not a surprise. I just got confident,â Iwai, 23, said. âIf I [shot] 62, it wouldâve been better.â
Iwai started on the 10th hole a made par, birdied give in a row and then made eagle at the par-5 16th to shoot 29. After a birdie on the first hole, her 10th, she was in position to do what only one woman hasâshoot 59. Lydia Ko had a chance a couple weeks ago but came up one stroke shy as she shot a career-best 60 at the Ford Championship.
Asked if she was thinking about a historic round like that, Izzy said: âa little bit thinking 58 or 59 score. But golf is not easy. That's why I focus on my routine. I don't think too much.â
Chizzy and her twin sister Akie have played well since they arrived on tour as rookies last season. They are impressive with and without clubs in their hands, because theyâre so fun. The LPGA social media team tagged along with them during a practice round Wednesday and chronicled a foot race, and them dancing and singing. Chizzy won the foot race as Akieâs hat blew off. She slowed down when that happened and Akie won.
Chizzy proclaimed herself the better singer, too.
âI think my voice is a little bit high,â Chizzy said while laughing. âGood sound.â
Last year during this event, the Iwai sisters went to a Dodgers game to see superstar Shohei Ohtani. They werenât able to do that this season. But they are stars in their own right, and Chizzyâwho has one LPGA winâis in good position to contend for another tournament title.
âI had a good time tee time in morning, so it was very peaceful and I felt comfortable, relaxed,â Chizzy said. âI had a good feeling. I had fun.â
Chizzy Iwai tied a course record of nine-under 63 at El Caballero Country Club.
Chizzy Iwai was inspired by a spectacular circle rainbow she saw before her round.
Other players who have shot 63 at El Caballero include Ingrid Lindblad, Nasa Hataoka, Yan Liu, and Ashleigh Buhai.

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