Canada’s Aphrodite Deng, a formidable talent in junior golf and a resident of Florida, has clinched the prestigious 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. In a hard-fought 36-hole final at the Riverside Course of the Atlanta Athletic Club, Deng defeated Singapore’s Xingtong Chen, 2 and 1, to secure her third victory of the season.
Deng’s victory reinforces her standing as a dominant force in junior golf. She is currently ranked No. 1 in the class of 2028 on the Junior Golf Hub Rankings, a testament to her consistent play. This win follows her earlier successes this season at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in April and the Mizuho Americas Open in May.
The championship match saw Deng establish an early 4-up lead in the first 18 holes, a lead she diligently maintained through much of the second 18. Despite a determined effort from Chen to narrow the gap, Deng ultimately closed out the match on the 35th hole.
“It really means a lot. I just can’t believe that I won,” Deng shared after her monumental victory. “I didn’t really think about the end result because I knew there were a lot of good players here. I just tried to win each match.”
Her triumph at the U.S. Girls’ Junior earns Deng coveted exemptions into several major championships, including the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course, the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club, and a likely spot in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next April.
Xingtong Chen, who was making her debut in the U.S., expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to compete in such a significant event. While the four-hole deficit proved too challenging to overcome, her performance showcased her immense talent on the international stage.
This historic win for Aphrodite Deng not only adds a major title to her impressive resume but also highlights her bright future in golf as she continues to climb the ranks.
Related Resources
- Junior Golf Hub Rankings
- RESULTS: U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship Coverage Hub – AmateurGolf.com (LINK)
- Aphrodite Deng wins the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship – Golf Canada (LINK)
Photo Credit: USGA/Darren Carroll