Erin, Wisconsin – Maja Stark has lost confidence in the openness of American women.
Her decision to stop worrying about it sparked her into the biggest title of women’s golf.
The 25-year-old Swede shot an equal 72 on Sunday and went ahead all day. A total of 7 under 281 over the four days at Erin Hills left two strokes behind top-ranked Nelly Corda and Japan’s Rio Takeda.
“I think I stopped trying to control everything, so I made it all happen like everything happened,” Stark said. “During practice days, I realized that if I just hovered the club onto the ground before I attacked, I’d released tension in my body. I think this week is key because I really don’t want to rely on my confidence.”
Stark became the sixth Swedish to win a women’s major and became the first in the 2021 Women’s British Open since Anna Nordqvist. Stark also won her second career LPGA Tour title.
The former Oklahoma player is the first Swedes to win the US Women’s Open since Anica Sorenstam won her third title in 2006.
“They just texted me yesterday and said, ‘Take it home,'” Stark said.
Stark’s stability made a difference when she held back Korda and many other challengers.
Korda was closed at 71, with Takeda 72 in second place. Hee-Jin Choi (68), Ruoning Yin (70) and Mao Saigo (73) tied them in fourth place with a 4-under. Hailee Cooper (70) and Hinako Shimano (74) were under the age of 3.
Stark’s playing partner Julia Lopez Ramirez fell early on the way to 79, taking 19th place. Lopez Ramirez entered the day with just one shot from the lead but got a triple bogey at 18.
This was just as close as Corda came to win the US women’s opening.
This week, Korda discussed the “complex relationship” with the US Women’s Open. She missed the cut in this tournament last year after posting 80 in the opening round.
“I played this event when I was 14 so I might get a little more emotional about it,” Korda said. “I mean, it definitely broke my heart a few times. … Doing that show last year definitely puts a dagger in my heart, but it’s just golf. You’ll lose more than most of the time.
“I feel like I’m actually learning where there’s a need to improve the openness of women in the US, as I learn a lot about myself and the game and test every part of the game.”
Korda is Nos. I birded 7 and 8, but missed a 9-foot birdie putt on the 9th. Korda’s birdie attempt came just minutes after Stark’s bogey free streak ended with 21 on No. 7.
Stark then extended her lead to three by making a 14-foot birdie putt in 11th place, shortly after Korda missed a par putt just under 5 feet on No. 13.
Korda, brother, Takeda entered Stark’s two-stroke on the par 5 on the 14th with a birdie, but Korda missed a 14-foot Eagle putt and Shibuno missed an Eagle attempt from 9½ feet.
Stark then made her own birdie on No. 14, regaining her three-stroke advantage at 9 under. She kept that lead despite bosieing the last two holes.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until I was like I was 17,” Stark said. “I got a glimpse of it, and it was amazing. I wasn’t as nervous as I thought it was because I felt I had some control over my game.
Stark praised former stand-up comedian Caddie Jeff Brighton for telling the jokes and helping her loosen up by making sure she wasn’t at the crisis.
“We just tried to talk about a few things, but it’s not too much of a putt of my own,” she said.
Brighton said: “I’d say Maja is a very intense player. She’s really hard work and really competitive. So when it’s (the player’s) intense, you’re trying between shots to get your head off the golf.”
He wore a cheesehead hat similar to what was seen in the Green Bay Packers game
Stark remained calm enough to win a $2.4 million award at the most lucrative event of the year. Now she needs to understand how to spend her prize money.
“Maybe moving out of my studio apartment is one thing,” Stark said.
