KUALA LUMPUR: Akie and Chisato Iwai were born just a minute apart, and now the identical twins from Japan are making history together on the LPGA Tour.
The twins are currently competing at the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur and are winning many fans and admirers on the LPGA Tour, with some excellent performances this season.
In fact, Akie was the second-highest-placed Japanese in the competition after champion Miyu Yamashita, who won the title after a playoff against Australian Hannah Green and South Korea's Choi Hye-jin.
The impressive Akie was in the tied-fourth position with the four-day 17-under score, while Chisato was in the tied-16th position on a 12-under total.
Competing in their debut seasons on the top professional women's golf circuit, Chisato won the Riviera Maya Open in Mexico in May for her first LPGA title.
Not to be outdone, Akie -- nominally the older of the twins -- triumphed in Portland just three months later.
The 23-year-olds are the first twins to secure silverware on the LPGA Tour.
"I didn't think I would win on the Tour this year," Akie told AFP this week at the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
"But my sister won first, and her victory inspired me. I did my best and felt the power in me to win. This is a special year for both of us."
Chisato echoed Akie's sentiments as the siblings push each other on to even greater heights on their rookie seasons on the LPGA Tour.
"We inspire each other a lot, so it's a special feeling for both of us to win," she said.
The LPGA Tour has witnessed its fair share of title-winning siblings.
They include Sweden's Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam, Thailand's Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, and US sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda.
The Americans have 21 Tour titles between them, and counting.
As the first twins to win on the tour, the Iwais are a source of particular intrigue, even if they are actually quite different in some respects.
Akie is described as quieter and is more inclined to wear baseball caps. Chisato is more outgoing and prefers wearing a visor.
They also differ much in the style of play on the course.
Chisato is said to be a stronger putter, while Akie is known to hit the baller farther.
They like to leave the golf talk out on the course.
"We do not talk about golf. Just about life in general," said Chisato.
Going into Sunday's final round in Malaysia, Akie, who is enjoying the course atmosphere, said she was out to have fun after shooting her best round of 66 on Saturday.
"The results do not matter, I just want to smile and have fun," she said. -- AFP
