RIVIERA MAYA OPEN

April 29, 2026

Chizzy Iwai

El Camaleón Golf Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Pleased to be joined by Chizzy Iwai into the media center tier at Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Can you just talk a little bit on what it means to be back here after winning last year?

CHIZZY IWAI: So I'm so happy to back Mexico, and then so last year my first win in Mexico. Yeah, after win, so come back to Japan, everybody congratulation say to me, that's why, yeah, good memory place here.

Q. And then what was your favorite part about last year?

CHIZZY IWAI: Last year I went to sightseeing so refresh my mental, refresh my body. That's good.

Q. Your family is here this week. Can you talk about having them here this week with you?

CHIZZY IWAI: Yes, so not only this week, every week, I have every week with family, so I went to sightseeing yesterday with my family.

Yeah, always have fun.

And then my mother helps my mental. My father is, you know, so, you know, like a passion. That's why atmosphere so good.

Yeah, I proud of my parents.

Q. We have nine Mexican players this week. Do you see any resemblance between Japanese players and Mexican players, between playing style and distance maybe, strategy maybe? Do you see necessity resemblance between Mexican and Japanese players? Or golf in general maybe?

CHIZZY IWAI: I'm (indiscernible) between Mexico to Japanese, but all people very powerful swing and I see golf, every year, all people, all player high level.

Yeah, I think so.

Q. Hi, Chizzy.

CHIZZY IWAI: Hi.

Q. How difficult could be repeat the win you got last year because the field looks stronger than last year?

CHIZZY IWAI: Me?

Q. Yeah, for you.

CHIZZY IWAI: I thank you. Thank you.

Q. Do you think you can repeat your win?

CHIZZY IWAI: Could you say again?

Q. How difficult could be repeat your win last year because the field looks stronger?

CHIZZY IWAI: Oh, yeah, okay, understand. Thank you.

Yes, I hope to win this week, too, but golf is not easy. Yeah, that's why I try myself, I keep focus my mental. This week also I just trying shot by shot.

Q. How popular is golf in Japan? I mean, is it Top 3, Top 5 of the most popular sports in your country? Thanks.

CHIZZY IWAI: Maybe in Top 3. Yeah, I think baseball, soccer, golf, something like that. Yeah, I think, yeah, very popular in Japan.

Q. Thank for coming again this year. My question specifically is for you from Mayakoba. If you had a free day in Mayakoba other than playing golf what would you do?

CHIZZY IWAI: Lovely question. So eating nice food and then going beach and swim. I want to see Mexican dance, dancing. I want to see Mexican dancing. Yeah.

Q. What's your story in golf?

CHIZZY IWAI: My golf style? Does it make sense? Okay.

Q. Do you have a different kind of pressure because you won last year? This time you feel different, this pressure?

CHIZZY IWAI: Feels a little bit different, yeah. In one year I spend good experience. Yeah, you know, that's why my mental just a little bit this year more calm, my mental, because no first time. My second year on the LPGA, yeah, this week, so, yeah, feels good.

Q. I want to know how has been the secret or how was formula for Japanese to get closer to Korean players? Now Japanese players are getting also at the top of tournaments when Korean players used to be like the elite Asian culture. How has with and you all Japanese players get closer to Korean golf?

CHIZZY IWAI: Japanese tournament increase four days tournament. Yeah, that's why we are good. Couple years, four years increase. That's why Japanese people more tough. Yeah, we are play. That's why getting high level.

And another one, so last year for example won the tournament couple Japanese people, so good inspire each other, yeah. Yes.