Sweden’s Maja Stark wins U.S. Women’s Open for first major

ERIN, Wis. — Maja Stark arrived at the U.S. Women`s Open having struggled with her confidence recently.

However, deciding to let go of her worries proved to be the spark she needed to capture the most prestigious title in women`s golf.

The 25-year-old Swede posted an even-par 72 on Sunday and successfully defended her lead throughout the final round. Her impressive four-day total of 7-under 281 at Erin Hills secured her victory by two strokes over world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Japan`s Rio Takeda.

“I think that I just stopped trying to control everything, and I just kind of let everything happen the way it happened,” Stark explained. “During the practice days, I realized that, if I just kind of hovered the club above the ground a little bit before I hit, I released some tension in my body. I think that just doing my processes well and knowing, giving myself little things like that, was the key this week because I don`t really want to rely on my confidence for stuff.”

Stark`s triumph makes her the sixth Swedish woman to win a major championship and the first since Anna Nordqvist`s victory at the 2021 Women`s British Open. This also marks Stark`s second career win on the LPGA Tour.

The former Oklahoma State player is the first Swede to win the U.S. Women`s Open since Annika Sorenstam claimed her third title in 2006. The only other Swede to win this championship was Liselotte Neumann in 1988.

“They texted me yesterday and just kind of said, `Bring it home,`” Stark shared.

Stark`s consistent performance was the decisive factor as she fended off challenges from Korda and several other competitors.

Korda finished with a round of 71, while Takeda also shot 72 to share second place. Hye-Jin Choi (68), Ruoning Yin (70), and Mao Saigo (73) tied for fourth at 4 under par. Hailee Cooper (70) and Hinako Shibuno (74) finished at 3 under.

Stark`s playing partner, Julia Lopez Ramirez, who was just one shot off the lead entering the day, fell out of contention with a final round 79, finishing tied for 19th. Lopez Ramirez notably recorded a triple bogey on the 18th hole.

This result marked Korda`s best performance to date at the U.S. Women`s Open.

Korda had previously discussed her “complicated relationship” with the championship, where her best prior finish was a tie for eighth in 2022. She missed the cut last year after an opening round 80.

“I played this event when I was 14 years old, so maybe a little bit more emotional about it,” Korda commented. “I mean, definitely it`s gotten my heart broken a couple times. … To have that showing last year definitely put a dagger into my heart, but that`s just golf. You`re going to lose more than you win a majority of the time.”

“I feel like I actually learn a lot about myself and my game and where I need to improve playing the U.S. Women`s Open because it does test every part of your game,” she added.

Korda made birdies on holes 7 and 8 but missed a 9-foot birdie putt on No. 9 that could have tied her for the lead. Korda`s birdie attempt came shortly after Stark`s bogey-free run, which had lasted for 21 holes, ended at the 7th.

Stark then extended her lead to three strokes by sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 11, immediately following Korda`s missed par putt from just under 5 feet on No. 13.

Korda, Shibuno, and Takeda managed to get within two strokes of Stark with birdies on the par-5 14th. However, Korda missed a 14-foot eagle putt, and Shibuno missed an eagle attempt from 9½ feet.

Stark responded with a birdie of her own on No. 14, regaining her three-stroke advantage at 9 under. She maintained that comfortable lead despite bogeying the final two holes.

“I didn`t look at the leaderboards until I was on like 17,” Stark stated. “I caught a glimpse of it. It was nice. I wasn`t as nervous as I thought that I would be because it felt like I have somewhat control of my game and I kind of know what`s going on.”

Stark credited her caddie, Jeff Brighton, a former standup comedian, for helping her stay relaxed by telling jokes and preventing her from fixating on the pressure.

“We just kind of tried to talk about some stuff and not be too into my own putt,” she remarked.

Brighton commented, “I would say Maja`s quite an intense player. She tries really hard and is really competitive, so when [a player`s] intense, you`re trying between shots to just get their head away from golf.”

He was wearing a cheesehead hat, similar to those seen at Green Bay Packers games, while speaking.

Stark`s composure allowed her to earn the substantial $2.4 million prize from the year`s most lucrative event. Now, her next challenge is deciding how to spend her winnings.

“Maybe move out of my studio apartment can be one thing,” Stark quipped with a smile.