Iwai Leads LA Championship with 9-Under 63

Chizzy Iwai fired a 9-under 63 on Thursday to seize a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the JM Eagle L.A. Championship at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. The 23-year-old Japanese player, playing in a morning group, raced out to 7 under through her first seven holes and matched the lowest score in the event's two years at the tree-lined venue, which is hosting for the second straight year while Wilshire Country Club undergoes renovations.

Iwai began her round on the back nine with a par on the 10th hole, then strung together birdies on the next five holes before capping the stretch with an eagle on the par-5 16th. She added birdies on the first and fifth holes of her second nine to close out the bogey-free effort. "Good tee time in morning, so very peaceful and I feel comfortable," Iwai said. "I had a feeling so relaxing. I had a good feeling." She admitted to briefly eyeing an even lower score. "A little bit thinking 58 or 59," she said. "But golf is not easy."

The tournament serves as the final tune-up before next week's major Chevron Championship in Houston, drawing a strong field including recent winners and top-ranked players. Tied for second at...