THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 12, 2026

Chizzy Iwai

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, we are pleased to be joined by Chizzy Iwai after her first round at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

You just talked about your hot start. How does it feel to go out there and have the five straight birdies?

CHIZZY IWAI: Yeah, that was great. Feels so good. (Laughter.)

But so actually last week I had a tournament in Japan, so many Japanese player, so aggressive play. That's why I can do it myself and then more aggressive my golf play.

That's why today is also could be pin high shot. Yeah, that was fun.

Q. Do you feel like you were more aggressive on those five holes maybe than the rest of the way, or just came out aggressive today?

CHIZZY IWAI: Yes and also having fun, uh-uh.

Q. You just talked about going back to Japan. What was that experience like playing close to home and just your time there?

CHIZZY IWAI: Actually last week we don't have time to spend, to rest. That's why. Just eating good food and meet my friends. Yeah, that was great.

Q. And last one from me: Seven birdies today. How important is it to just play low on this course? Obviously it's going to be a very low week from the leader. How important is that?

CHIZZY IWAI: I think green is still soft. That's why keep aggressive, keep pin high shot. Yeah, maybe aggressive shot, yeah.

Q. The past two seasons so many Japanese players, including yourself, have had so much success on the LPGA.

CHIZZY IWAI: Yeah.

Q. What do you think is allowing that transition to be so smooth from Japan to LPGA?

CHIZZY IWAI: That question is many people ask me, but I always answer is strong heart.

Q. Strong heart?

CHIZZY IWAI: Strong heart.

Q. Where do you think that desire is stemming from? Because we're seeing so many more Japanese players coming over than we have. What sparked that?

CHIZZY IWAI: To be honest, so kind of a little bit different environment out of golf. Like here free drink, free food, you know, for sure.

Q. You mean you have to pay for everything in Japan?

CHIZZY IWAI: In Japan, everything.

Q. Lunch? Breakfast?

CHIZZY IWAI: Yeah, everything. That's why I love here, yes.

Q. Wow.

CHIZZY IWAI: Good hospitality, yeah.

Q. How much did Hinako's win in 2019 encourage, inspire people to come?

CHIZZY IWAI: Hinako get win long time ago. Yeah, very inspire me and then another player.

So everybody inspire each other. That's good point.

Q. You think there is something to that, competitive with each other?

CHIZZY IWAI: Competitive.

Q. You're doing great. This is my last one: You mentioned free today. What are some other things that are so different here than JLPGA?

CHIZZY IWAI: The people.

Q. In what way?

CHIZZY IWAI: American people is very (in Japanese) forget my answer. Environment the most different, environment.

Q. Okay. Describe though. In what way?

CHIZZY IWAI: Free food, free drink, yeah.

Q. Okay, it fits together. Welcoming? I don't know. Okay. Thank you. You're a good sport.