Deng Makes History, Wins US Girls' Junior Championship

In Johns Creek, Georgia, the US Girls' Junior Championship concluded with a victory for Canada's Aphrodite Deng. She defeated Singapore's Chen Xingtong in the 36-hole final held at the Atlanta Athletic Club on Saturday, July 19th, winning by a score of 2 and 1.

Chen, at the age of 16, made history as the first player from Singapore to advance to the championship match.

Deng established a significant lead after the first 18 holes, holding a 4-up advantage over Chen. Chen fought back, reducing the gap to two strokes on two separate occasions during the second 18 holes. The final time she did so was with a par win on the 34th hole. Deng ultimately secured the victory on the 35th hole by matching Chen's par.

Fifteen-year-old Deng's win marked a historic moment, as she became the first Canadian to claim the US Girls' Junior title. This victory added to her already impressive year, which included wins at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in April and the Mizuho Americas Open in May, making it her third junior major title of the year.

As a result of her win, Deng earned a place in the US Women’s Open at Riviera next year, as well as the US Women’s Amateur this year and next.