Japan's Akie Iwai fired nine birdies in an eight-under-par 64 on Wednesday to seize a one-shot lead in the US LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii.

The 23-year-old Iwai, chasing her second LPGA title after victory in the Portland Classic, played alongside her twin sister Chisato, who also won as a rookie on the LPGA this year.

"It was fun," Iwai said. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow too."

Iwai made her lone bogey at her final hole, the par-three ninth, to finish the first round one stroke in front of fellow Japanese Nasa Hataoka, Australian Gabriela Ruffels and Taiwan's Chien Peiyun.

"Everything felt good," said Iwai, who hit 13 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens in regulation as she climbed into the lead in benign morning conditions. "Played good, putting was good."

Hataoka had eight b

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