Amateur Aphrodite Deng's Caddie Being Mic'd Up at the USWO is Elite

PACIFIC PALISADES, Ca. — There are 28 amateurs in the week's U.S. Women's Open field at Riviera, but there is one in particular who is standing out.

Sixteen-year-old Aphrodite Deng is becoming a force in junior golf. Most recently, she defended her title at the Mizuho Americas Open last month, holding her own against the top pros in the business and making it look easy!

She also made her first appearance at the Augusta National Women's Amateur where she out-dressed fellow Malbon ambassador Jason Day.

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Deng is making her USWO debut after earning her keep by winning the 2025 U.S. Girls' Junior at the Atlanta Athletic Club last July, and she's been on a quiet heater ever since. She's ranked second in the AJGA rankings and 8th in the WAGR.

She hits the ball dangerously far and is an underrated ball striker, which is exactly what you need to succeed at Riviera! At one point during Thursday's opening round, Deng was co-leading the championship.

Deng ended the day at 1-under par, but she's feeling good about where her game is at. "[This] course is really hard depending on how you play it and what positions you get yourself into. So as long as you're in the fairway and you hit it on the right spot on the green, you should be fine," the teen said after her round. And when asked what her mindset will be for her next 18 holes, she said, "just keeping my long game the same and just making sure I keep the ball in the right spots."

But what's even cooler about Deng is that her caddie, John Wood is mic'd up this week! Wood has been a PGA TOUR caddie for two decades and joined Golf Channel as an on-course reporter a few years ago.

It's been great to see, and the conversations between this duo are something that I would love to see more and more majors and broadcast partners do more of.

RELATED: Scottie Scheffler Gave His Caddie, Ted Scott, an Earful After a Water Ball

Hearing their insight and how they strategize around a track like this a golf fan's dream. They're seeing things in ways that don't necessarily translate through the camera. I've spent years watching Riv on TV but it wasn't until I physically walked it that I really understood its magic.

For those at home, these little moments are making the viewership experience more intimiate, more in-depth and more well-rounded.

How to Watch The USWO This Weekend

Friday USA: 2-7p EST Peacock: 7-10p EST

Saturday USA: 5-7p EST NBC/Peacock: 7-10p EST

Sunday Peacock: 3-5p EST NBC/Peacock: 5-8p EST

RELATED: These 10 Players Have Our Attention at Riviera