CPKC WOMEN'S OPEN

August 21, 2025

Aphrodite Deng

Mississaugua Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Joined today at the CPKC Women's Open with 15 year old Aphrodite Deng. Originally from Canada and you entered today with a five-hole lead. Can you just start us off by talking about potentially where your name came from. Why are you named Aphrodite?

APHRODITE DENG: I think my parents just wanted something unique, so they chose Aphrodite.

Q. And then you have won tournaments hosted by both Michelle Wie and Nelly Korda. Have you had any interaction with these players? Could you talk a little bit about that?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I met Michelle Wie at the Mizuho LPGA and I also played with Nelly for two rounds there.

Q. What was that like playing with those people?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, it's really cool. When I was playing with Nelly there was a lot of people following. It was a nice experience.

Q. Do you get intimidated by that at all, by the being out there, or do you like that?

APHRODITE DENG: Maybe the first time, but now I'm pretty used to it.

Q. How did it feel having some pretty sizable crowds following you today here at home in Canada?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, it's really cool. I didn't really notice that much because I was really focused on my game.

Q. Well, I noticed as you play you have a very relaxed sort of body language. You seemed comfortable out there.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah.

Q. And also it's very reflected in your play because you have a quick pace when you're playing.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I do.

Q. What was going through your head? Again, you seemed so comfortable and relaxed out there.

APHRODITE DENG: Just trying to hit each shot and play in the fairway.

Q. Yeah.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah.

Q. Do you find that it helps that you are so decisive when you're on the course?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I don't really like playing slow because then I think too much.

Q. That makes sense. Thanks.

APHRODITE DENG: Uh-huh.

Q. Curious how your experience at the U.S. Junior Girls helped prepare you for this week.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, there was a lot of cameras there, too, so I'm more used to it in front of the cameras and crowds.

Q. And on the course when you have a round going like this, are you looking at the leaderboard or are you just kind of staying focused?

APHRODITE DENG: I did look at the leaderboard a few times, yeah.

Q. When you saw your name up there, what did you think?

APHRODITE DENG: I thought it was pretty cool, but I just knew I had to keep the same game plan.

Q. In terms of your round, what were you happy with in terms of your game?

APHRODITE DENG: My putting was good today.

Q. I wonder what you felt like on those first two holes? Were you nervous teeing off today? You birdied right away.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I was a little nervous, but I am with every tournament, so yeah.

Q. Coming up down here at the end, the composure you had to come up and do what you did on the last few holes, how do you feel about that? What was going through your mind?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, I was trying to get birdies because I had wedges in, so that's what I did.

Q. You hit almost every fairway I think except for one today.

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah.

Q. How are you feeling about that?

APHRODITE DENG: Yeah, that's pretty good. Usually my driver is pretty straight.