ERIN, Wis. — Maja Stark, a 25-year-old golfer from Sweden, overcame lingering self-doubt to capture the most prestigious title in women’s golf at the U.S. Women’s Open. Displaying remarkable calm, Stark finished with an even-par 72 in the final round at Erin Hills, securing her victory with a four-day total of 7-under 281. This achievement placed her two strokes ahead of the world’s top-ranked player, Nelly Korda, and Japan’s Rio Takeda.
Reflecting on her triumph, Stark shared that letting go of her need for control was pivotal. She realized during practice that easing physical tension by hovering her club slightly above the ground before swinging was beneficial. “I just stopped trying to control everything,” Stark explained. “I think that knowing I don’t need to rely on my confidence was key this week.”
Stark’s victory marks her as the sixth Swede to win a major in women’s golf and the first since Anna Nordqvist’s 2021 Women’s British Open win. It also represents Stark’s second career LPGA Tour title. This win at the U.S. Women’s Open makes her the first Swedish champion since Annika Sorenstam’s third title in 2006, and only the third overall, with Liselotte Neumann as the pioneer in 1988.
Maintaining composure was integral to Stark’s success as she warded off competitors like Korda, who finished with a 71, and Takeda, who shot a 72, both tying for second place. Meanwhile, Hye-Jin Choi, Ruoning Yin, and Mao Saigo shared the fourth position at 4 under. Others like Hailee Cooper and Hinako Shibuno finished at 3 under.
Stark’s play partner, Julia Lopez Ramirez, started the day just a stroke behind the lead but fell behind early, ending her round with a 79, landing her tied for 19th. This performance was the closest Korda has ever come to clinching a U.S. Women’s Open title, with her best previous finish being eighth place in 2022. She mentioned her “complicated relationship” with the event, recalling missed cuts like last year’s painful start of 80.
“Playing this since I was 14, it’s had its heartbreaks,” Korda admitted. Despite past disappointments, she looks for lessons in the challenges posed by the U.S. Women’s Open. “You lose more than you win in golf, and I learned a lot about my game here.”
During the final round, birdies on the 7th and 8th holes kept Korda in contention, but missing a 9-foot birdie putt on the 9th was a pivotal moment. Stark’s impressive 14-foot birdie on the 11th gave her a reconfirmed three-stroke advantage, even as challengers like Shibuno and Takeda tried closing the gap.
Further birdies on the 14th hole helped Stark to widen her lead to 9 under, despite bogeys on the last two holes. Watching the scoreboard late in the game, she surprised herself with the calmness she felt, thanks to knowing her game was stable.
She attributed her composure partly to her caddie, Jeff Brighton, a former standup comedian. Brighton’s approach helped create a relaxed atmosphere: “Maja’s competitive, so steering her mind off golf between shots was crucial.” equipped with quips and wearing a cheesehead hat, he eased the tension.
Stark’s collected demeanor allowed her to earn a $2.4 million prize, representing the most significant event payout of the year. As for her newfound earnings, Stark joked about her plans, “Maybe find a new place—move out of my studio apartment.”