Calgary, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Aphrodite Deng, a 15-year-old amateur golfer from Calgary, ties for the lead at the CPKC Women’s Open with a remarkable opening round score of 5-under 66. Her impressive performance, characterized by early birdies and composure on the course, highlights her potential as she competes with established professionals. This achievement follows her notable wins in junior championships, making her a rising star in the golf world.
Calgary: Teen Sensation Aphrodite Deng Steals the Spotlight at CPKC Women’s Open
Young, bold and steady — a 15-year-old amateur ties for the lead after a dazzling opening round
Golf fans got an early jolt of excitement on Thursday when 15-year-old Aphrodite Deng from Calgary opened the CPKC Women’s Open with a sparkling 5-under 66, sharing the top spot on the leaderboard. The teenager, part of the Team Canada NextGen development stream, spent nearly the whole day with her name at the top — a rare sight that turned heads across the field.
Deng’s start read like a highlight reel. She made birdies on the first two holes, added another birdie on the reachable par-5 fifth, then birdied the par-4 seventh to turn in an eye-popping 4-under 31 for the front nine. The back nine was mostly steady with pars until the par-4 15th produced her only blemish of the day. Rather than wavering, she closed with two back-to-back birdies to lock in the 66.
Sharing the clubhouse lead with Deng at 5-under were Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and U.S. pro Megan Khang. For Golf followers, that tie represents both a coming-of-age moment and a reminder that major tournaments can be unpredictable — especially when a fiery young amateur finds her groove early.
What’s behind her calm?
Coaches and teammates pointed to Deng’s composure and rhythm as the keys to her success. Her coach praised the way she maintains focus once she gets rolling, noting that she has a knack for sustaining momentum through a round. That steadiness isn’t an accident — Deng splits her training time between Florida, where she sharpens her game against strong competition and year-round training conditions, and monthly camps and tournament support with the Golf Canada NextGen program.
This week’s appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open wasn’t a wildcard. It was earned through a landmark accomplishment earlier this summer: Deng became the first Canadian winner of the U.S. Junior Girls Championship, a tournament that has previously been won by future stars of the women’s game. That victory also came with an exemption into the CPKC Women’s Open, opening the door for Thursday’s headline-making round.
The teenager’s form this season has been relentless. She added the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open to her trophy case, and at the latter she even had the experience of playing alongside LPGA star Nelly Korda in front of large crowds — a spotlight moment that helped prepare her for these big-stage nerves. Top pros have taken note of Deng’s scoring ability and poise on tournament days.
How this fits into the bigger picture
Deng sits at No. 22 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, which underlines how her performances are being tracked internationally. In the history of the CPKC Women’s Open, only one player aged 15 has gone all the way to victory — Lydia Ko, who dominated her era and won the tournament multiple times. While history is never a guarantee, Deng’s opening round proves she can hang with seasoned professionals and contenders.
For Canadian sport lovers, Deng’s run is another chapter in a recent trend: young athletes breaking through early on the international stage. The same wave of teenage success has been visible in other sports, where young swimmers and tennis players have caught headlines and fueled conversations about youth development and talent pipelines.
Watch list and what to expect next
The story to follow is whether Deng can carry the momentum through the weekend. Key factors to watch include how she handles marquee tee times, the pressure of a leaderboard battle with established pros, and whether her short game and putting stay hot under tougher pin positions. If she keeps the same game plan and poise, she has a shot to remain in contention — and the golf world will be watching closely.
FAQ
Is Aphrodite Deng a professional?
No. Deng is an amateur player, competing through the exemptions and pathways earned by her amateur wins.
How did she qualify for the CPKC Women’s Open?
She earned an exemption by winning the U.S. Junior Girls Championship earlier in the summer, which opened the door to this event.
How did Deng perform in the first round?
She shot 5-under 66, opening with birdies on the first two holes, turning in 4-under 31 on the front nine, adding pars and a bogey on the back nine, and closing with two birdies.
Who is she tied with on the leaderboard?
She is tied with Gaby Lopez from Mexico and Megan Khang from the United States at 5-under.
Where does Deng train?
She trains primarily in Florida and joins Golf Canada NextGen monthly for camps and tournament support.
What are her major junior wins this year?
She won the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and the 2025 Mizuho Americas Open, plus the U.S. Junior Girls Championship.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Aphrodite Deng |
| Age | 15 |
| Score (Round 1) | 5-under 66 |
| Leaderboard status | Tied for lead with Gaby Lopez and Megan Khang |
| Key achievements (2025) | U.S. Junior Girls Champion, Junior Invitational at Sage Valley winner, Mizuho Americas Open winner |
| World Amateur Rank | No. 22 |
| Training base | Florida (primary), Golf Canada NextGen camps (monthly) |
| Notable historical note | Only one 15-year-old in event history has won — Lydia Ko, a multi-time champion |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- LPGA: Aphrodite Deng – First Round Interview
- Golfweek: Aphrodite Deng, 15, Tied for Clubhouse Lead
- The Globe and Mail: Aphrodite Deng – The Talk of the Tournament
- ScoreGolf: Youth is Being Served in Golf
- MSN Sports: Canada’s Aphrodite Deng, 15, Tied for Clubhouse Lead
- Wikipedia: Aphrodite Deng
- Google Search: CPKC Women’s Open
- Google Scholar: Aphrodite Deng
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aphrodite Deng
- Google News: Aphrodite Deng
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