Feng Embraces Opportunity at Mizuho Americas Open
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. — With the Mizuho Americas Open set to make its debut at Mountain Ridge Country Club from May 7–10, Tuesday’s media day offered an early glimpse into one of the most unique weeks in golf, and one that continues to resonate strongly with the next generation.
At the center of that next generation is New Jersey’s own Rayee Feng, the 2024 New Jersey Women’s Open champion, who will once again take part in the event’s distinctive format that brings together LPGA Tour professionals and elite juniors on the same stage.
For Feng, the opportunity is as meaningful as it is rare.
“It really means a lot,” she said. “This format is super helpful for juniors who aspire to play on the professional tour. We get to practice with the professionals and see how they prepare for big tournaments like this.”
That proximity—inside the ropes, alongside the world’s best, is exactly what sets the championship apart. Juniors compete in their own field through the first two rounds before the weekend pairs them directly with LPGA players, creating an immersive, real-time learning experience.
Feng, a senior at The Pingry School with aspirations of playing professionally, made it clear she plans to take full advantage.
“I want to have as much fun as I can and play my best golf,” she said. “A huge part of this tournament is the learning opportunity… I’m really excited to play with the professionals and learn everything they do during tournament week.”
The week carries an added layer of significance this year with the move to Mountain Ridge, a classic Donald Ross design that drew praise from tournament host Michelle Wie West.
“It’s a beautiful venue and a great test,” Wie West said, noting the course’s demanding greens and strategic design.
Now in its fourth year, the championship continues to grow both in stature and impact. Wie West emphasized the event’s broader mission of creating meaningful pathways for young players while elevating the overall experience for professionals and fans alike.
“It’s one thing to watch your idols on TV,” she said. “It’s another to be inside the ropes competing alongside them. That’s what makes this so special.”
Feng will not be the only Garden State representative in the junior field. Fellow New Jersey competitors Aphrodite Deng and Vidhi Lakhawala are also set to compete in the AJGA portion of the championship, further highlighting the state’s growing presence at the national level.
Together, they represent a new wave of talent. One that will have a rare opportunity to test itself in a championship environment while gaining firsthand insight into the professional game.
And for Feng, that’s what the week is all about.
An opportunity not just to compete, but to learn, to grow, and to take another step toward the future she’s chasing.
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