PORTLAND CLASSIC

August 17, 2025

Akie Iwai

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Okay, welcome to the media center at the 2025 The Standard Portland Classdic. I am joined here by champion Akie Iwai. Congratulations.

AKIE IWAI: Thank you so much.

Q. First things first, this is your first LPGA Tour victory. Could you just talk about how you feel right now?

AKIE IWAI: Amazing. So actually in the morning a little bit nervous, but I trust cheering in Japan, family, team. Yeah, I trust cheering, but that's why I just won, yeah.

Q. And starting the day did you imagine you would be here right now?

AKIE IWAI: No, of course not. Golf is 18 holes. Long sport. Yeah, I must focus my golf, yeah. And just won, so and then I get like this, yeah.

Q. Congratulations, Akie. When you won you pointed to the sky. Was there a particular reason for that?

AKIE IWAI: I forgot. What hole?

Q. On 18.

AKIE IWAI: Winning putt? Yes. I saw the sky, so like this. (Fist in air.) So actually I decided when getting winning putt (fist in air.)

Q. Is there a reason you did that?

AKIE IWAI: Reason? No. No reason.

Q. Okay. Can you compare your emotions when your sister won in Mexico to your emotions when you won? Same? Different?

AKIE IWAI: Different, but so she's this year won, and when she this year won... (Though translation.) She decided to congratulate her at that time, and then now she congratulate me

Q. How did at that feel? What were the different emotions when you congratulated her versus now she's congratulating you? How did you feel Any different?

AKIE IWAI: This is much happier than that time.

Q. Okay. I'll catch that on the transcript. I didn't hear all of that from the translation. How does this change things for you now in terms of your confidence or anything else? How does it change now that you have closed a tournament out, because you finished second twice before?

AKIE IWAI: Of course I got more confidence, so, yeah.

Q. She got more confidence from the runner-up finishes?

THE INTERPRETER: Yeah. yeah. And of course after this victory she is going to play in a couple tournaments left, so she is going to play with more confidence.

Q. Okay. And then what do you think about the reason all the many young Japanese golfers are having so much success on Tour this year? You, your sister, there is four now on Tour this year. What do you attribute the success to?

AKIE IWAI: Yeah, so many Japanese people this year won, so inspired me. That's why I will do my best, I will do my best, yeah. I just got mind to (indiscernible). Yes, yes, thanks to them.

Q. Lastly from me...

Q. Did Miyu's win inspire you at all at the AIG Women's Open?

AKIE IWAI: (Through translation.) Just not one of them. Just everybody plays well this year, so everything inspired me to play better this year.

Q. Okay. Last one from me: What was it like to see your -- obviously your parents were there, but your mom was emotional and crying. What was it like to see her?

AKIE IWAI: When I saw my mom crying, oh, I won.

Q. She recognized that she won once she...

AKIE IWAI: Yes.

Q. Congratulations.

AKIE IWAI: Thank you.

Q. Also, with this win you and Chisato have both won. You're the fourth set of sisters that have both won on the LPGA Tour. What does that mean to be able to win on the LPGA Tour with your sister?

AKIE IWAI: I didn't thought this year won, so that's amazing this year. And then I want more fun... (Through translation.) Actually this is a special year for us and then (indiscernible) Chisato with Chisato. They attract LPGA more. How can I say? How can I say that? More fun for the people watching on the LPGA Tour. Yes, so think that's they're trying too hard, yes.

Q. What has that been like for you as a rookie on the LPGA Tour? What has it been like to travel? You have quite the team that you travel with. What has it been like for you to do that this year?

AKIE IWAI: Actually I feel busy to moving, but everything good. It was fun because the team, yeah.

Q. How much fun do you all have on the road when you travel together?

AKIE IWAI: (Motions arms wide.)

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much. Congratulations, Akie.

AKIE IWAI: Thank you.

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