ERIN, Wis. — In a remarkable display of resilience, Maja Stark captured the prestigious title at the U.S. Women’s Open, overcoming a dip in confidence that had plagued her leading up to the event. The 25-year-old Swede demonstrated exceptional skill on Sunday, finishing with an even-par 72 and maintaining her lead throughout the day. With a four-day total of 7-under 281, Stark finished two strokes ahead of world number one Nelly Korda and Japan’s Rio Takeda.
Reflecting on her journey, Stark shared, “I think that I just stopped trying to control everything, and I just kind of let everything happen the way it happened.” During practice rounds, she discovered that hovering her club above the ground before each shot helped relieve tension, allowing her to focus on her process rather than her confidence. “Doing my processes well and giving myself little reminders was the key this week,” she added, emphasizing the importance of mental clarity in achieving her goals.
Stark’s victory marks her as the sixth Swede to win a women’s major title and the first since Anna Nordqvist at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open. This win also signifies her second career title on the LPGA Tour, making her the first Swedish golfer to triumph at the U.S. Women’s Open since Annika Sorenstam secured her third title in 2006. The only other Swedish player to win this event was Liselotte Neumann in 1988.
Throughout the tournament, Stark maintained her composure, enabling her to fend off challenges from Korda and others. Korda finished with a score of 71, while Takeda recorded a 72, both tying for second place. Other notable finishes included Hye-Jin Choi (68), Ruoning Yin (70), and Mao Saigo (73), all tying for fourth at 4-under. Meanwhile, Stark’s playing partner, Julia Lopez Ramirez, who began the day just one shot off the lead, fell out of contention with a disappointing 79, including a triple bogey on the final hole.
This event was particularly significant for Korda, who has had a tumultuous relationship with the U.S. Women’s Open in the past. Her best finish prior to this tournament was a tie for eighth place in 2022 at Pine Needles, and she missed the cut last year after a challenging opening round. “I feel like I actually learn a lot about myself and my game playing the U.S. Women’s Open because it tests every part of your game,” Korda remarked.
Korda made a strong start, birdieing holes 7 and 8, but missed a crucial 9-foot birdie putt on hole 9 that could have tied her with Stark. Stark’s streak of 21 consecutive holes without a bogey ended at hole 7, but she quickly regained momentum with a 14-foot birdie putt on hole 11, extending her lead to three strokes. Despite late bogeys on the final two holes, Stark held steady, ultimately finishing with a three-stroke advantage.
Throughout the tournament, Stark credited her caddie, Jeff Brighton, for helping her stay relaxed and focused. A former standup comedian, Brighton kept the atmosphere light with jokes, ensuring Stark didn’t become overly fixated on the stakes. “We just kind of tried to talk about some stuff and not be too into my own putt,” Stark shared.
With her remarkable performance, Stark earned a staggering $2.4 million prize, the largest in women’s golf. Now, the challenge for Stark will be deciding how to use her winnings. “Maybe moving out of my studio apartment can be one thing,” she quipped, showing her characteristic humor even in the wake of her significant achievement.
