Photo: USGA Media
What You Need to Know
Champion: Aphrodite Deng (Canada)
Runner-up: Xingtong Chen (Singapore)
Final Score: Deng def. Chen, 2 and 1
Location: Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside Course), Johns Creek, Ga.
Dates: July 14–19, 2025
Format: 36-hole Stroke Play qualifying, followed by Match Play (64 players)
Broadcast: Peacock (live Final), Golf Channel (re-air)
Aphrodite Deng made history as the first Canadian to win the U.S. Girls’ Junior, capturing the title with a steady, resilient performance in the 36-hole final. The week featured elite international talent, historic comebacks, and one of the strongest fields in junior golf — all played on the newly renovated Riverside Course.
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Deng Delivers a Historic Canadian Victory
At just 15 years old, Aphrodite Deng secured her biggest win yet, becoming the first Canadian to hoist the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy. She led by as many as four holes in the morning session of the final, highlighted by birdies at 12 and 13, and held off Chen’s spirited comeback over the closing stretch. The match ended on the 35th hole with both players making par.
Already a winner at the Mizuho Americas Open and Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, Deng climbed to No. 36 in the WAGR and earned exemptions into the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, U.S. Women’s Open, and future U.S. Women’s Amateurs.
Match Play Recap
Semifinals
- Aphrodite Deng def. Rayee Feng – 2 and 1
- Xingtong Chen def. Grace Carter – 1 up
Quarterfinals
- Aphrodite Deng def. Chloe Kovelesky – 2 up
- Rayee Feng def. Emerie Schartz – 19 holes
- Xingtong Chen def. Katelyn Kong – 4 and 3
- Grace Carter def. Shyla Singh – 7 and 5
Round of 16
- Aphrodite Deng def. Mia Carles – 2 and 1
- Rayee Feng def. Anita Lumpongpoung – 2 up
- Xingtong Chen def. Mia Clausen – 3 and 2
- Grace Carter def. Clairey Lin – 1 up
Notables and Legacy
Deng now joins a storied list of champions that includes Minjee Lee, Lexi Thompson, and Inbee Park. Chen’s runner-up finish capped a whirlwind U.S. debut that included a fifth-place finish at the AJGA event in Massachusetts and a top-15 showing at Junior Worlds in San Diego. Both players received replica Calamity Jane putters and were treated to custom meals prepared by the AAC chef to commemorate the final.
The U.S. Girls’ Junior heads next to Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., in 2026. Until then, Deng’s championship run will be remembered as one of resilience, consistency, and history made for Canadian golf.
Round of 32 Bracket
Grace Carter def. Lucinda Wu
3 and 2
Natalie Yen def. Rachel Lee
20 holes
Chloe Kovelesky def. Anna Fang
22 holes
Shyla Singh def. Molly Brown Davidson
5 and 4
Xingtong Chen def. Amelia Harris
6 and 4
Adrienne Ahn def. Sam Daniels
5 and 4
Aphrodite Deng def. Mia Carles
2 and 1
Emerie Schartz def. Pimpisa Rubrong
1 up
Rayee Feng def. Anita Lumpongpoung
2 up
Match Play Update: Round of 64 Recap
The match play bracket came alive Wednesday at the 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, with standout performances and nail-biting finishes defining the Round of 64 at Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside Course.
Top seed and stroke-play medalist Grace Carter advanced confidently, defeating Lebanon’s Victoria Richani 5 and 3. Last year’s runner-up Asterisk Talley also cruised through her match, winning 5 and 3 over Alexa Phung.
Natalie Yen, the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball champion, continued her strong run with a 2-and-1 victory over Brynn Kort. Yen could become just the fifth female ever to win two USGA championships in the same year. She built her lead on the par-4 ninth and closed the match on the 17th.
Other dominant wins included Nikki Oh (7 and 5), Clairey Lin (6 and 5), and Katelyn Kong (7 and 5). Meanwhile, Rachel Lee of Australia beat Madeleine Conser 4 and 3, setting up a Round-of-32 showdown with Yen.
The day also featured playoff-level tension, with three matches going extra holes. Isabel Emanuels edged out Michelle Xing on the 19th hole, Lauren Timpf needed 20 holes to defeat Hailey Kim, and Chloe Kovelesky outlasted Amelie Zalsman in 19 holes.
The youngest player in match play, 12-year-old Iris Lee, battled hard before falling 2 and 1 to Sam Daniels. Heat remained a major factor with temperatures pushing the index near 100 degrees for the third straight day.
What's Next: Thursday brings the Round of 32 and Round of 16, with matches starting at 7:30 a.m. EDT. Quarterfinals and semifinals follow Friday, while Saturday’s 36-hole championship match begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
Stay with us throughout the week as we provide daily round recaps, leaderboard highlights, match-play drama, and the crowning of the 2025 champion.
Historic Venue with Championship Pedigree
The Atlanta Athletic Club’s Riverside Course has a storied history dating back to its East Lake origins, where legends like Bob Jones first honed their craft. The Riverside Course itself was recently renovated by architect Tripp Davis, who highlighted the Chattahoochee River corridor with strategic changes, including a reachable par-5 12th and a drivable 14th. AAC’s resume includes hosting the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Junior Amateur, and now the U.S. Girls’ Junior—making it the first club to complete this USGA Grand Slam of venues.
Key Players to Watch
The field is loaded with international talent and rising American stars:
- Asterisk Talley: Runner-up in 2024 U.S. Girls’ Junior and Women’s Amateur; 2024 USA Curtis Cup Team member.
- Scharlett Schremmer, Nikki Oh, Pimpisa Rubrong: Top-100 WAGR players with match-play pedigree.
- Rayee Feng: 2025 U.S. Women’s Open qualifier from Short Hills, N.J.
- Sarah Lim: U.S. Women’s Open qualifier and Talley’s Four-Ball partner.
- Aphrodite Deng: 2025 Mizuho Americas Open champion and AJGA standout.
Bookmark this page for daily updates as the match-play bracket fills out and the championship intensifies. We'll share player interviews, highlight shots, and breaking news from Johns Creek.
Schedule of Play
Monday, July 14: Stroke Play, Round 1 (18 holes)
Tuesday, July 15: Stroke Play, Round 2 (18 holes)
Wednesday, July 16: Round of 64 (match play)
Thursday, July 17: Round of 32 and Round of 16
Friday, July 18: Quarterfinals and Semifinals (live on Peacock and Golf Channel)
Saturday, July 19: 36-hole Championship Match
A Champion’s Reward
The winner will receive the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy, a gold medal, a spot in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, invitations to the U.S. Women’s Amateur (2025, 2026), and the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Follow the journey to crown the next great champion of junior golf right here.