The LPGA Tour spent the week gearing up for their second major of the season in next week’s U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally, and they did so down south of the border at the 2025 MEXICO Riviera Maya Open.
Japan’s Chisato Iwai emerged victorious with a 12-under finish. She finished an incredible six shots clear of fellow rookie Jenny Bae. This is Bae’s second top 25 finish in her career so the future of the Tour seems bright.
As far as the winner is concerned though, Iwai obviously doubled the second-best score. She did that in a mathematical sense purely on Sunday as she had the round of the day at 6-under. Five birdies came on the front 9 and she opened her back with another. Iwai actually got to 13-under after 13 (appropriately) but bogeyed 14 right after to get back to 12-under and parred her way home for the win.
Chisato Iwai’s Sunday Round:
- 8 of 14 fairways hit
- 25 total putts
- 13 of 18 greens in regulation
- 258 yard average driving distance
Iwai is the 12th different winner this season and the third rookie alongside Rio Takeda and Ingrid Lindblad. It is the first time in a decade that three rookies have won on Tour before May’s conclusion which indeed suggests the future will be fun.
The first major of the season in the Chevron Championship was also won by a player from Japan in Mao Saigo. Iwai makes the third of the season as Rio Takeda is also from Japan.
Up next as noted is the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills and if this season to date is any indicator… it is going to be quite thrilling.
