NORTON, Massachusetts – Yuji Iwai has a motto for his twin girls: “Having fun is a job, and the job is to have fun.”
As a former prison guard, that wasn’t an option for Yuji, but he’s making the most of this next chapter with daughters Chisato and Akie.
Kayaking, parasailing, deep sea fishing, hiking, impromptu dancing in the gym and plenty of billiards, Japan’s Iwai twins, who turned 23 in July, are making the most of the LPGA’s global schedule.
They’re on the hunt for a good burger – they like Britain’s Honest Burgers, though the iconic Burgerdog at the Olympic Club surely didn’t disappoint. They’ve been to an F1 race and Dodger Stadium. Posed with Justin Bieber at Madame Tussauds in London. They played baseball in Thailand and felt the mist blowing off mighty Niagara Falls.
Iwai twins both ranked in top 32 in Rolex Rankings
Born one minute apart (Akie is the oldest), it’s hard to imagine any pair of rookies having a better time. Not to mention the fact that in 2025 that they made history as the first twin sisters to win on the LPGA, with Chisato breaking through in Mexico in May and Akie last month in Portland. Akie currently ranks 23rd in the world, while Chisato is 32nd. Sisters aren’t unusual on the LPGA, but twins? This is a first.
Yuji calls his wife, Emiko – a former nurse – the big boss, and says she decides how they will split up to follow their girls each round. For the first two rounds of the FM Championship, the twins were paired together. Yuji laughed and said that just doubled his nerves.
Rotation is common for the Iwais, who have turned an individual sport into a team environment. The twins swap caddies every three to four weeks. A team of managers/interpreters switches out as well to keep things fresh. Everything is done as one big group, including meals and sightseeing. The sisters stay at the same hotel but have different rooms.
“Of course, they fight because they are siblings,” said Yuji, with the help of an interpreter. “Even on the smallest things, it’s like, what are you fighting about? But after 30 minutes or so, they forget about it.”
Both sisters work to do their interviews in English. Chisato, nicknamed “Chizzy,” wears an American flag ball marker on her visor and an easy smile.
Chisato and Akie have 14 JLPGA victories
Akie was the first to express an interest in competing on the LPGA. They’ve won a combined 14 titles on the JLPGA and, after experiencing a handful of LPGA majors, decided to sign up for LPGA Q-School last year.
Though there’s no doubt that they’ve pushed each other, the ultimate drive comes from within.
“Just because we are twins,” said Chisato, “it doesn’t mean that we are going to do it for each other.”
Their golf origin story is a familiar one. Yuji was headed to the driving range one day, and Emiko, busy with housework, told him to take the kids along. The sisters were 8 years old. Younger brother Kota, two years younger, now plays club golf at a university in Japan.
The sisters were runners growing up, both long and short distances. At least one sister would win a big race each year at their school’s field day, trading back and forth. Chisato notes that Akie can pick up any sport quite easily. Yuji said Akie’s soccer potential was incredible, but at age 15, the twins decided to give up everything to pursue golf.
Despite being twins, Iwais have different games
While they’re overall success is quite similar, their games are not.
“My style,” said Akie. “Every shot, aim at pin. And Chizzy sticks to game plan.”
The differences extend to outside the ropes, too.
“If I have a day off, I want to go out,” said Akie. “And Chizzy wants to stay at home.”
When they’re out shopping, Akie is quick to make a purchase, while Chisato likes to take her time.
Akie, it turns out, is often the one left waiting.
Chisato was the first to win on the JLPGA in August 2022. Akie followed eight months later. On the LPGA, Chisato broke through with a six-shot win at the inaugural Riviera Maya Open. Akie followed three months later with a four-stroke triumph at the Standard Portland Classic.
Has there ever been any jealousy?
“Of course,” said Akie with a smile. “Every time, Chizzy is first.”
Rookies have starred on LPGA this year
It’s been a banner year so far for the 2025 LPGA rookie class, with seven newcomers winning in the first eight months of the season. That’s the most rookie winners since the 2009 season, which included the likes of Anna Nordqvist, Jiyai Shin, Stacy Lewis and Michelle Wie West.
Transitioning to life on the LPGA can be tough for any player from any country. Having a built-in best friend along for the ride is no doubt an advantage. Leona Maguire’s twin sister Lisa recently graduated from dental school and still comes out to travel the LPGA each summer as a client manager.
Growing up in Ireland, the Maguire twins were the only girls at their home club. They rose to the top of the amateur ranks and played collegiate golf together at Duke. Leona was the only one who made it to the LPGA.
“There were multiple times when we would have played finals against each other, and obviously, you wanted to win,” said Leona. “There were a few quiet car journeys home after those finals, but the next day, you were fine and that’s what dad used to always say, so as long as the trophy’s coming home, it doesn’t matter who it is.”
To that end, prizes were often split. When Lisa won one of their first tournament starts and received a windbreaker, dad took Leona to the pro shop to get her one too.
“Ultimately, I’d rather Lisa win than a stranger,” said Leona.
Iwai twins miss food from Japan
The Iwai twins make it back to Japan about three times a season, and while they’ve enjoyed their burgers and pizza, it’s the food that they miss the most.
When asked what has surprised them most about this mostly American adventure, Akie didn’t need the help of an interpreter to answer this one: “The restroom.”
She went on to explain that, in Japan, the bathroom stall is a “secret room” where the walls extend down to the floor, and there is no crack in the door. And sometimes, in the U.S., she has to reach behind her to get to the roll of toilet tissue.
At this point in the interview, everyone is laughing.
And that’s the best part of getting to know the Iwai twins: They’re having a good time, and their joy is contagious.
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