West Caldwell, N.J. - Moving day at the Mizuho Americas Open delivered exactly the kind of drama the tournament has become known for. Aphrodite Deng, of Short Hills, New Jersey, started the day eight points back but surged up the leaderboard with six birdies to claim a two-point lead. Stableford scoring is as follows:
The AJGA scoring format at the #MizuhoAmericasOpen.@MizuhoLPGA https://t.co/7qUmTjRD9z pic.twitter.com/M7cd0nptDk
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) May 7, 2026
Paired with LPGA players Arpichaya Yubol and Melanie Green, Deng opened her round with a birdie on the par-4 No. 1. She played solid golf throughout the front nine, carding four birdies over her first nine holes. After making the turn, Deng continued her strong play, going par-birdie-par on Nos. 10, 11 and 12. Her first setback of the day came at the par-4 No. 15, where she recorded her first bogey. She finished her round with a birdie on No. 17 and a bogey on No. 18.
Deng, the defending champion, will be paired alongside Jeeno Thitikul, also a defending champion, and Celine Boutier in the final grouping tomorrow. With 110 total points, Deng holds a two-point lead over first- and second-round leader Amelie Zalsman of St. Petersburg, Florida.
“I think the pins and conditions were a little easier today even though it rained. I was just trying to put myself in the right positions, and if I make the putt, I make the putt. So I made a couple birdies out there and it worked out. And just to have all my fans out there supporting me from local is really cool, too."
Overnight leader Amelie Zalsman, now sits in solo second with 107 total points. Zalsman was paired with Jeeno Thitikul and Jennifer Kupcho in the final grouping. She carded six pars and three bogeys across the front nine. Her lone birdie came on the par-3 No. 14. Zalsman will look to bounce back tomorrow for a chance to earn her third Invitational win.
A star-studded group on the first tee ✨
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) May 9, 2026
Second-round leader Amelie Zalsman teed off alongside defending champion Jeeno Thitikul and Jennifer Kupcho at the #MizuhoAmericasOpen. pic.twitter.com/qSl8GxyMYd
Rina Kawasaki of Palos Verdes Estates, California, and Lily Peng of San Ramon, California, are tied for third place at 106 total points. Kawasaki carded three birdies and 12 pars to move up one spot. Peng recorded her best round of the tournament, using five birdies to move up four spots on the leaderboard.
Celina Yeo of San Carlos, California, rounds out the top five at 105 total points. The University of Oregon commit played consistent golf, carding 14 pars, one birdie and three bogeys.
AJGA competitor Fay Jia drains a long birdie on the toughest hole of the day 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fTzAajELYl
— LPGA (@LPGA) May 9, 2026
TV & Social
The event will be televised on CBS Digital at the below times.
Round 4 - 1 PM - 3 PM ET
Streaming on golfchannel.com, Golf Channel App, CBSSports.com, Paramount+
Follow along on social with #MizuhoAmericasOpen or check us out on X , Instagram and Facebook .