Aphrodite Deng has made history, becoming the first Canadian to win the U.S. Junior Girls Championship.

Deng, who is just 15, defeated Singapore’s Xingtong Chen at Atlanta Athletic Club 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final match.

“It really means a lot,” Deng said. “I just can’t believe that I won.”

With the win, Deng earned an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open – which will be contested at the iconic Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles – along with next year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur. That likely means there will be two Canadians in the field of that event for the first time in its history.

Deng was 4 up after the first 18 holes after winning Nos. 10, 12, and 13.

Chen cut the lead to just 2 up through 26 holes, but Deng battled back to win the 27th and 28th holes. Chen cut the lead again as the match inched closer to its conclusion, winning the 33rd and 34th holes before Deng closed the door.

“I think (this week) definitely gave me a lot more confidence because previously I had a lot of doubts about myself – just like, would I be able to make it even just as an amateur golfer, trying to get into college. But I think after this week, I definitely have a lot more confidence and just trust my game a bit more,” Chen said.

Deng, who is from Calgary but lived in Montreal before moving to the United States, has had a spectacular summertime already. She won the Junior Invitational (one of the most prestigious events on the junior golf calendar that takes place the week prior to the Masters at Sage Valley, which is just 25 minutes from Augusta National) as well as the American Junior Golf Association’s Mizuho Americas Open, which takes place at the same time as the LPGA Tour event of the same name and is hosted by Michelle Wie-West.

“(Winning the Mizuho) definitely helped a lot. I think, without that experience, I would not be able to be that calm this week,” Deng said.

She also won The Nelly Invitational – hosted by the LPGA’s No.1-ranked golfer Nelly Korda – last year.

Deng, who said the key to her success through the week was her recovery shots and managing her energy over a long six days, headed into the week No. 36 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. She’ll obviously climb the ranking with her victory, but it remains to be seen if she’ll top Lauren Kim as Canada’s top-ranked amateur come Monday when the new rankings are official. Kim, who attends the University of Texas, is No. 18.

Other notable winners of the U.S. Girls’ Junior include Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson, and 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner Minjee Lee.

Next up for Deng is competing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at the beginning of August at Bandon Dunes, and then – although not official – she will likely receive an exemption into the CPKC Women’s Open at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club.

Deng’s performance also caught the eye of multi-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel who also practices and plays out of TPC Sawgrass where Deng – and Horschel – work with the director of the performance center, Todd Anderson, at the club.

Anderson tells Sportsnet that Deng (who he began working with in February 2023) is “obviously very talented” but her work ethic (upwards of eight hours per day), poise and self-belief, and commitment to their improvement plan are all things that really stand out about her.

Horschel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, a note of congratulations to the Canadian.

“She’s a stud and a future star on the LPGA Tour!” Horschel said.

Don’t be surprised if that happens sooner rather than later.