Akie Iwai

Akie Iwai is a Japanese professional golfer who plays on both the LPGA Tour and the LPGA of Japan Tour. She won her first LPGA Tour title in 2025 and has quickly become one of the leading Japanese players on the world stage.

Early Life & Family

Iwai was born on July 5, 2002, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and began playing golf at age eight. Her twin sister, Chisato Iwai, is also a professional golfer on the LPGA of Japan Tour. In 2019, Akie won the Junior Golf World Cup representing Japan.

Rise to Fame

Iwai turned professional in 2021 and joined the LPGA of Japan Tour that year, winning a developmental Step-Up Tour event and the JLPGA Rookies Championship in her debut season. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when she won three titles and finished second on the tour’s money list.

Career History

By 2024, Iwai had risen to 26th in the Women’s World Golf Rankings, recording top-10 finishes at two LPGA majors. She earned her LPGA Tour card for 2025 by tying for fifth at LPGA Final Qualifying in December 2024, and won her first LPGA Tour title at the Standard Portland Classic in August 2025. In 2026, she finished third at the Amundi Evian Championship, earning $606,017. In total, she has nine professional wins across the LPGA of Japan Tour, the LPGA Tour, and other events.

How They Built Their Wealth

Iwai’s income comes from tournament prize money on both the LPGA of Japan Tour and LPGA Tour, including a $606,017 payday for her third-place finish at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship, along with sponsorship and endorsement deals typical of a top-ranked professional golfer.

Personal Life

Iwai and her twin sister Chisato have both pursued professional golf careers on the LPGA of Japan Tour, often competing in the same events.

Akie Iwai’s net worth is estimated in the low millions, built through her rapid rise from LPGA of Japan Tour rookie to LPGA Tour title winner and major championship contender.