--- title: "Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng fires 68, climbs into top 11" description: "The 16-year-old U.S. Junior Girls champion carded a 3-under 68 to tie for 11th, while Nelly Korda shares the 54-hole lead." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/canadian-amateur-aphrodite-deng-has-bounce-back-third-round-5f71ec69 published: 2026-06-14T04:43:45+00:00 updated: 2026-06-14T04:43:45+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["golf"] --- # Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng fires 68, climbs into top 11 > The 16-year-old U.S. Junior Girls champion carded a 3-under 68 to tie for 11th, while Nelly Korda shares the 54-hole lead. Aphrodite Deng, the 16-year-old Canadian amateur, fired a 3-under 68 in the third round of the U.S. Women’s Open, climbing into a tie for 11th place. The reigning U.S. Junior Girls champion birdied three of her first four holes at Riviera Country Club, showcasing the elite short game that made her a story before this week. Deng’s round was the best among amateurs in the field and lifted her to 2-under for the tournament. She is now nine shots off the lead but within striking distance of a top-10 finish. The teenager’s composure under major championship pressure has drawn attention, especially after a tough second round that tested her resiliency. World No. 1 Nelly Korda shot a 67 to share the 54-hole lead with Sei Young Kim at 9-under par. Eight players are within three shots of the lead, setting up a wide-open final round. Korda is chasing her fourth major title and fourth win of the 2026 LPGA season. Deng’s performance is notable for its historical context. Should she finish in the top 20, she would become the first player since 1983 to achieve that after winning the U.S. Junior Girls title the previous year. Her Sunday round will be closely watched as a potential breakthrough for Canadian golf. What’s next: Deng tees off in the final round Sunday with a chance to rewrite the record books. Nelly Korda and Sei Young Kim will battle for the championship, but the amateur’s star turn has already added a compelling subplot to the U.S. Women’s Open. ## Why this matters A 16-year-old Canadian amateur is knocking on the door of history at a major, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda chases her fourth win of 2026 and a spot in LPGA lore. The leaderboard is bunched, setting up a riveting Sunday where both underdog and superstar narratives converge at Riviera Country Club. ## Frequently asked ### Who is Aphrodite Deng? Aphrodite Deng is a 16-year-old Canadian amateur golfer and the reigning U.S. Junior Girls champion. She is competing in the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club. ### How did Deng perform in the third round? Deng shot a 3-under 68, birdying three of her first four holes. The round moved her into a tie for 11th place at 2-under for the tournament. ### What is the 54-hole leaderboard situation? Nelly Korda and Sei Young Kim share the lead at 9-under par. Eight players are within three shots, creating a tight race heading into the final round. ### What history could Deng make on Sunday? If Deng finishes in the top 20, she would be the first player since 1983 to achieve that after winning the U.S. Junior Girls title the previous year. ### What is at stake for Nelly Korda? Korda is seeking her fourth major championship and her fourth LPGA win of the 2026 season, which would further cement her status as the world's top player. ## Sources & Citations - [Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng has bounce-back third round at U.S. Women's Open](https://www.sportsnet.ca/lpga/article/canadian-amateur-aphrodite-deng-has-bounce-back-third-round-at-u-s-womens-open/) — TheNewsAPI.com (2026-06-07) --- Cite: Canadian amateur Aphrodite Deng fires 68, climbs into top 11. Sportopod, 2026-06-14. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/canadian-amateur-aphrodite-deng-has-bounce-back-third-round-5f71ec69