Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, Calgary, August 26, 2025
News Summary
At the Canadian Women’s Open, 15-year-old Aphrodite Deng showcased her golf skills during her LPGA Tour debut at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club. A former figure skater turned golfer, Deng made history by being the first Canadian to win the United States girls’ junior championship. As she navigated her debut with a fast-paced playstyle, she brought attention to herself amidst strong competition, including the efforts of other Canadian players. Golf Canada aims to elevate more domestic talent, seeking to have 30 players achieve LPGA and PGA tour status by 2032.
Calgary – At the Canadian Women’s Open held at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club, 15-year-old Aphrodite Deng made a notable debut on the LPGA Tour, showcasing her emerging talent as she navigated the challenging 11th hole during the first round.
Deng, a former figure skater who took up competitive golf only five years ago, has made remarkable strides in the sport this summer. She recently made history by becoming the first Canadian to win the United States girls’ junior championship, further solidifying her status as a rising star in Canadian golf. Alongside this prestigious title, she also claimed victories in several other noteworthy U.S. junior tournaments, demonstrating her competitive prowess.
During her debut at the LPGA Tour, Deng quickly captured attention by placing among the top contenders on the leaderboard. Her playstyle is characterized by a rapid pace, markedly differing from the careful, contemplative approach many players adopt. Deng prefers to rely on her instincts rather than overthink her swings, contributing to her fast-paced game that appeals to traditional golf purists.
In contrast, Canada’s top-ranked golfer, who struggled initially, bounced back with an impressive second-round score of 66, indicating strong competition among domestic players. Currently, Golf Canada is focused on developing more homegrown talent, with an ambitious goal of elevating the number of Canadian players achieving LPGA and PGA tour status to 30 by 2032. The current landscape shows that while there are four Canadian men ranked in the top 70 globally, only Brooke Henderson represents the women’s side in the top 300.
No Canadian women have won on the LPGA Tour since Lorie Kane achieved the feat in 2001, while a number of Canadian men, including Mike Weir, have succeeded in the same era. Presently, only three Canadians hold spots in the top 50 amateur rankings: Duisports Lauren Kim at No. 16, Deng at No. 22, and Vanessa Borovilos at No. 45. Canada experienced an increase in overall talent, growing from five players ranked in the top 300 amateurs in 2022 to 12 this year.
Emily Phoenix, Golf Canada’s high-performance director, expressed parallels between the current moment and 2014, the year when a surge of talent, including Henderson, was observed. This year, the CPKC Open features 16 Canadians, with a robust representation of 10 amateurs, six of whom are juniors.
Despite the strides made among Canadian players in recent years, the professional circuit remains heavily influenced by Asian golfers, with 49 of the top 100 players from South Korea or Japan. In comparison, only 17 of the top 100 women golfers are from the United States. Many top female players opt to turn professional at an early age, often bypassing collegiate golf routes, which directly leads to opportunities on domestic tours leading to the LPGA.
In response to the need for more competitive spaces for women, Golf Canada has introduced the “She Plays Golf Series,” a low-profile professional tournament series aimed to replace the earlier Canadian Women’s Tour.
Deng’s family, immigrants from China, advocates for her to pursue higher education while respecting her decisions regarding her future career choices in professional golf. Currently, she leans towards attending college before going professional, referencing the successes of previous Stanford University alumni.
FAQs
What accomplishments has Aphrodite Deng achieved recently?
Aphrodite Deng recently became the first Canadian to win the United States girls’ junior championship and has also won several prestigious U.S. junior tournaments.
What is Golf Canada’s goal regarding domestic talent?
Golf Canada aims to have 30 Canadian players achieve LPGA and PGA tour status by the year 2032.
Who is currently the top-ranked Canadian female golfer?
Brooke Henderson is currently the only Canadian female golfer ranked in the top 300 players globally.
What tournament series has Golf Canada launched for women?
Golf Canada has initiated the “She Plays Golf Series,” a new low-stakes professional tournament series designed to create more competitive opportunities for female golfers.
What is Aphrodite Deng’s future educational plan?
Aphrodite Deng is considering attending college before pursuing a professional golf career, inspired by successful alumni from institutions like Stanford University.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Aphrodite Deng’s Background | 15-year-old former figure skater turned competitive golfer. |
| Historic Achievement | First Canadian to win the United States girls’ junior championship. |
| Current Goals | Golf Canada aims for 30 players with LPGA/PGA tour status by 2032. |
| Women’s Professional Representation | Only Brooke Henderson in the top 300 and no wins since 2001. |
| She Plays Golf Series | New initiative to enhance competitive opportunities for women. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- MSN: Aphrodite Deng Impresses at CPKC Women’s Open
- The Star: Aphrodite Deng and Golf Canada’s Future
- MSN: Aphrodite Deng Two Shots Back at CPKC Women’s Open
- RD News Now: Eileen Park Named to NextGen Squad
- The Globe and Mail: Coyotes’ Bissonnette Suspension
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Google Search: LPGA Tour
- Google Scholar: Aphrodite Deng
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: Aphrodite Deng
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
