Cool Hands, Swedish Steel: Stark Triumphs at Erin Hills
Maja Stark holds off world No.1 to win U.S. Women’s Open and joins a proud Swedish sisterhood of champions
Paju, Korea - Maja Stark, 25, conquered the windswept ridges of Erin Hills on Sunday, becoming the 80th U.S. Women’s Open champion with a closing round of 72 to finish at 7-under-par. The Swedish star held her nerve to fend off world No.1 Nelly Korda and Japan’s rising force Rio Takeda, who both finished two back on 281.
It was a win that called to mind the calm authority of Annika Sorenstam, whose own U.S. Women’s Open legacy now welcomes a worthy successor. With three birdies offsetting three bogeys, Stark’s even-par round was more about control than fireworks — a classic major-winning formula.
“It means so much,” said Stark. “I was worried I wouldn't play decent golf for a while. So this just feels huge.”
She pulled clear midway through the final round thanks to a pivotal two-stroke swing: Stark’s 14-foot birdie on No. 11 coincided with a rare three-putt bogey from Korda on No. 13. From there, she never wavered. Even when danger loomed on Nos. 17 and 18, she limited the damage to bogeys, ensuring a historic win and becoming the third Swede to lift the Harton S. Semple Trophy after Liselotte Neumann and Sorenstam.
Stark’s résumé already sparkled — a standout at Oklahoma State and a nine-time winner as a professional — but this was a coming-of-age moment. Her T-2 finish at the Chevron last year was impressive. This was commanding.
Behind her, the field brimmed with promise. Korda, battling the ghosts of past missed cuts, showed steely resolve. Saigo, the Chevron winner, held the 36-hole lead. Amateur Lottie Woad, the world No.1, claimed low-amateur honours with a 293 total.
And then there was Kiara Romero. After an 84 on Saturday, the 19-year-old University of Oregon star shot a final-round 67 — the best ever by an amateur in the U.S. Women’s Open’s closing round.
At Erin Hills, the future of women’s golf shimmered. But it was Stark, cool and controlled, who stepped forward — texted the night before by Swedish legends and now, trophy in hand, joining them in the pantheon.
She brought it home.