Akie Iwai starts hot, takes first-round lead at Lotte Championship

(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Six weeks after earning her initial LPGA victory, Akie Iwai sits in first place after the opening round of the Lotte Championship in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

The 23-year-old Japan native shot an 8-under-par 64 on Wednesday at Hoakalei Country Club to hold a one-stroke lead over Taiwan's Peiyun Chien, Australia's Gabriela Ruffels and Japan's Nasa Hataoka.

The Thai du