U.S. GIRLS' JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

July 18, 2025

Aphrodite Deng

Atlanta Athletic Club (Riverside Course)

Quick Quotes

Q. Finalist in the U.S. Girls' Junior. What does it mean to you?

APHRODITE DENG: It means so much. I've been really looking forward to this tournament, and to be able to play good is really exciting.

Q. Talk about the road to get here.

APHRODITE DENG: I was just trying to play my own game, and I knew every one of these players were really good. So yeah.

Q. Did you feel you had to dig a little bit deeper within your own game knowing the strength of fields, what it would take to make it to the championship match?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I just tried to make less mistakes and stay in there.

Q. What do you do to avoid mistakes?

APHRODITE DENG: Just save my shots and make putts.

Q. Talk me through a little bit your morning match and afternoon match from your perspective, how they went, back and forth with Chloe, this afternoon another tough match?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I think at the end is what really matters, the last few holes, because everyone gets tired.

Q. Talk to me about your relationship with your caddie. Obviously he's your friend from down in Florida. When did you ask him to be your caddie?

APHRODITE DENG: I flew him in on my second match, and we just worked really well, and he makes me less nervous.

Q. How long have you guys known each other?

APHRODITE DENG: Not that long. Like four months.

Q. You said you guys play together down in Florida?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, we do play a lot, so he's pretty familiar with my game.

Q. Do you compete against each other at all?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, we do.

Q. Who usually wins?

APHRODITE DENG: I'd say it's a tie, but we play a scramble against friends.

Q. It rained a little bit on you guys out there in the afternoon. Did you have to make any adjustments?

APHRODITE DENG: No, it was just that one hole, and we waited the rain out a little bit.

Q. Obviously both your matches were close, there was a little bit of back and forth. Did you feel there was momentum switches or anywhere you gained momentum or lost it?

APHRODITE DENG: Not really. I just kept on staying in there and waiting until the very end.

Q. What do you think about Xingtong, your opponent tomorrow?

APHRODITE DENG: I've never played with her before, and this is the first time we've met, so we'll see how it goes.

Q. What's your game plan?

APHRODITE DENG: Just the same thing, just knowing that everyone is going to make mistakes, and the end is what really matters.

Q. Obviously 36-hole final, it's going to be a marathon. You've already played a lot of golf. What are you doing to maintain your energy, maintain your focus?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, just go home and rest and sleep early.