16-Year-Old Aphrodite Deng Shines at U.S. Women's Open

At just 16 years old, Aphrodite Deng looked up at the leaderboard during her first U.S. Women's Open and saw her name tied for the lead. Her reaction? "I thought it was cool, but it's only the first day."

That kind of composure at one of golf's biggest stages is exactly what caught the attention of John Wood, a longtime PGA Tour caddie working the event at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Wood has caddied at Riviera 22 times and called Deng's calm demeanor remarkable for someone so young.

"It's just like it's another tournament," said Wood, who was mic'd up during the round for NBC. "It's not in her head that this is the U.S. Open and she's 16 years old. She's just playing golf. It's so hard to do."

Deng earned her spot in the field by winning the 2025 U.S. Girls' Junior last summer. The Canadian golfer proved she belonged on Thursday, firing four birdies in her first 10 holes.

One of those birdies came with a little help from Riviera history. Her second shot on the par-4 12th hole ricocheted off the tree named after Humphrey Bogart, known as "Bogey's tree," and landed just 6 feet from the hole. She drained the putt.

The teenager stumbled down the stretch with two bogeys and a double bogey on her back nine. But she showed her resilience by closing with a birdie from 7 feet on her final hole to finish at 1-under 70.

Why This Inspires

Deng's performance reflects a new generation of young golfers who aren't intimidated by the biggest stages. She referenced her experience leading early at Canada's national open last summer, the CPKC Women's Open, where she opened with a 65. For Deng, pressure is just another feeling to manage.

She finished the day in a share of 14th place, four shots behind leader Jennifer Kupcho. Three other amateurs also broke par at Riviera, including reigning Augusta National Women's Amateur champion Maria Jose Marin and 17-year-old Asterisk Talley, who shot 71.

The future of women's golf is looking bright, and Aphrodite Deng just announced her arrival.