ERIN, Wis. — Maja Stark revealed she had lost confidence just before the U.S. Women`s Open began.
Yet, her conscious decision to stop dwelling on that lack of confidence was the catalyst that propelled her to victory in the most prestigious event in women`s professional golf.
The 25-year-old from Sweden carded an even-par 72 on Sunday and maintained her leading position throughout the final round. Her cumulative score over the four days at Erin Hills was a superb 7-under 281, securing a two-stroke margin over the world`s top-ranked player, 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 golfer to win a women`s major championship. She is the first since Anna Nordqvist claimed the Women`s British Open in 2021. This victory is also Stark`s second career title on the LPGA Tour.
The former player for Oklahoma State University is the first Swede to win the U.S. Women`s Open since Annika Sorenstam earned her third title in 2006. Liselotte Neumann is the only other Swedish player to have won this tournament, doing so in 1988.
`They texted me yesterday and just kind of said, `Bring it home,` ` Stark mentioned, referring to her compatriots.
Stark`s steady performance proved decisive as she successfully held off Korda and a field of other strong contenders.
Maja Stark of Sweden holding her trophy after winning the U.S. Women`s Open golf tournament at Erin Hills.
Korda concluded her round with a 71, while Takeda shot a 72, resulting in a tie for second place. Hye-Jin Choi (68), Ruoning Yin (70), and Mao Saigo (73) finished 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 started the day just one shot off the lead, fell out of contention early after carding a 79, finishing tied for 19th. Lopez Ramirez struggled on the 18th hole, recording a triple bogey.
This was Korda`s best performance to date at the U.S. Women`s Open.
Korda had described her “complicated relationship” with this tournament during the week. Her previous best finish was a tie for eighth place in 2022. She missed the cut in last year`s event, shooting an 80 in the opening round.
“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.”
Korda made back-to-back birdies on holes 7 and 8 but narrowly missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the 9th that would have tied her for the lead. Korda`s attempt on the 9th came moments after Stark`s impressive streak of 21 bogey-free holes was broken on the 7th.
Stark then extended her lead to three strokes by sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole, immediately following Korda`s missed par putt from just under 5 feet on the 13th.
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, which could have narrowed the gap further.
Stark responded by making a birdie of her own on the 14th, restoring her three-stroke cushion at 9 under. She successfully maintained that lead, despite recording bogeys on the final two holes.
“I didn`t look at the leaderboards until I was on like 17,” Stark admitted. “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, with helping her remain calm by telling jokes and ensuring she didn`t become overly focused on the stakes.
“We just kind of tried to talk about some stuff and not be too into my own putt,” she said.
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 notably wearing a cheesehead hat, commonly associated with Green Bay Packers fans, while speaking.
Stark successfully maintained her poise to claim the significant $2.4 million prize from the year`s most lucrative event. Her next challenge? Deciding how to spend her winnings.
“Maybe move out of my studio apartment can be one thing,” Stark quipped, smiling.
