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Julio Cesar Valdera Morales is a Newsweek contributor based in Spain. His focus is golf as well as politics and economics. Julio has been with Newsweek since February, 2025 and previously practiced law. Julio earned his Masters Degree at the University of Havana. You can get in touch with Julio by emailing j.morales@newsweek.com.
Contributing Sports Writer
Akie Iwai went super low again during the final round of the Honda LPGA Thailand, nearly forcing a playoff that eventual champion Angel Yin avoided with a birdie on the 18th. After this extraordinary performance, the 22-year-old Japanese pro will not play on the LPGA Tour again until the final days of March in Arizona, but she is most excited about the burgers she can find along the way.
Her next tournament on the world's top women's circuit is the Ford Championship, which will be played on the Cattail Course at Whirlwind Golf Club. But that is not the only reason she is looking forward to her next visit to America.
"Burger trip," she told the media after the fourth round.
A reporter told her about the opportunity to try In-N-Out burgers, and Iwai was very interested. She confirmed that this would be an excellent burger stop. In-N-Out is notoriously one of the most highly regarded burgers in America.
During the first round of the tournament, the Japanese sensation had already revealed her love for burgers. When asked what her main expectation was for playing on the LPGA Tour, Iwai said it was to expand her experience with her favorite food.
"Trying to find all the good hamburger shops," she said, "each local hamburger shop."
Iwai carded a final round 61, a record low 18-hole score for the Honda LPGA Thailand. She had already carded a 62 in the first round, but her performance on Saturday (71) set her back considerably in her title aspirations.
However, Iwai made a strong charge in the final round, carding 10 bogey-free birdies through 16. She made bogey at the worst possible time on the 17th, but responded like a champ, eagling the 18th to put all the pressure on Angel Yin.
The American also responded in spectacular fashion, making her seventh birdie of the day (no bogeys) on the 18th hole to break the tie with Iwai, avoid a playoff and win her second LPGA Tour title.
This was only the second LPGA Tour event for Akie Iwai after winning her card on the Q-School last December. Her previous experience on the circuit was mainly at major championships, where she has two top-10s in seven appearances.
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