In a remarkable display of calm, precision, and determination, Sweden’s Maja Stark clinched her first major championship title by winning the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills, Wisconsin. The 25-year-old’s victory not only marks a significant milestone in her blossoming career but also cements her place among Sweden’s golfing greats, carrying forward a proud legacy that includes legends like Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann.
The Final Day Drama at Erin Hills
Stark entered the final round holding a slender one-shot lead, a position that often invites immense pressure. But rather than buckle, she embraced the moment with a composure that belied her relative youth and inexperience on this grand stage. Shooting an even-par 72 in the final round, Stark managed to hold off a relentless charge from world number one Nelly Korda and Japan’s Rio Takeda, finishing two strokes clear with a four-day total of seven-under-par 281.
Korda, who has had a complex relationship with this tournament, pushed Stark to the limit, closing with a 71 to finish second. Takeda also finished tied for second after a solid 72. Stark’s playing partner, Julia Lopez Ramirez, who was just one shot behind the leader at the start of the day, faltered with a triple bogey on the 18th hole and ultimately fell back to tie for 19th.
Overcoming Doubts and Regaining Confidence
Heading into the championship, Stark admitted to struggling with confidence, a challenge many athletes face at the highest level. Her breakthrough came not from trying to control every aspect of her game but from letting go and trusting her natural rhythm. She revealed that during practice days, a simple mental adjustment — hovering her club slightly above the ground before striking — helped her release tension and maintain focus throughout the round.
This mindful approach allowed Stark to stay in the moment and avoid the mental pitfalls that can derail even the best players under pressure. "I just stopped trying to control everything, and I let everything happen the way it happened," she reflected after the win. This mental clarity was perhaps the secret weapon that helped her maintain a bogey-free streak through the front nine and enabled her to navigate the demanding Erin Hills course with confidence.
Making History for Sweden
Stark’s victory is steeped in historical significance for Swedish golf. She became the sixth Swedish woman to win a major championship, and the first since Anna Nordqvist’s triumph at the 2021 Women’s British Open. More notably, she is the first Swedish player to win the U.S. Women’s Open since Annika Sorenstam, who famously captured her third title in 2006. The only other Swedish winner of the event was Liselotte Neumann back in 1988.
This victory adds a powerful chapter to Sweden’s rich golf tradition, which has produced some of the most influential figures in women’s golf globally. Stark’s success could inspire a new generation of Swedish players and elevate the country’s status as a breeding ground for world-class golfing talent.
The Road to Glory: Key Moments in the Final Round
The final round was a tense, tactical affair, with Stark and Korda exchanging momentum several times. Stark extended her lead to two strokes with a timely birdie on the par-5 sixth hole, while her playing partner Lopez Ramirez struggled to keep pace. Korda responded strongly on the front nine, birdieing the seventh and eighth holes to close the gap to just one stroke by the turn.
However, Stark regained control midway through the back nine. After Korda bogeyed the 13th, Stark capitalized with a 14-foot birdie putt on the 11th hole to stretch her lead back to two. She then added another birdie on the 14th, regaining a three-shot cushion.
Korda and her challengers tried to mount a late comeback on the par-5 14th hole, where Korda even had an eagle opportunity, but she missed the putt. Stark’s steady nerves and strategic play ultimately allowed her to absorb pressure and close out the tournament, even after two late bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes.
The Challenge of Erin Hills
Erin Hills, located in Wisconsin, is widely regarded as one of the more challenging venues in women’s golf, with its expansive fairways, undulating greens, and unpredictable weather conditions. The course demands accuracy, strategic shot placement, and the ability to adapt to shifting wind patterns.
Stark’s success here was a testament to her well-rounded game and mental resilience. The course had been a stern test for the field, with many top contenders falling behind under pressure. Stark’s ability to stay consistent — particularly on the greens — proved decisive.
Nelly Korda’s Near Miss
For Nelly Korda, the tournament was both a step forward and a reminder of the elusive nature of the U.S. Women’s Open. The American world number one came into the event with two major titles to her name but had never broken through at this specific championship.
Her final round 71 was solid, but missed opportunities, including a key missed birdie putt on the ninth hole and a failed eagle attempt on the 14th, prevented her from overtaking Stark. Despite the near miss, Korda remains optimistic about her future prospects in majors, noting how the tournament has tested every aspect of her game and helped her grow as a competitor.
The Role of Caddie and Support
Stark credited much of her composure to her caddie, Jeff Brighton, whose calm demeanor and humor helped keep her grounded throughout the pressure-cooker environment. Brighton, a former standup comedian, reportedly used jokes and light-hearted conversations to distract Stark from the weight of the moment, allowing her to focus on her process rather than the scoreboard.
The player-caddie dynamic is often an underappreciated element in golf, and this partnership demonstrated how crucial psychological support can be in helping players deliver peak performances under pressure.
Impact on Women’s Golf and Future Prospects
Maja Stark’s victory comes at a time of growing attention on women’s golf worldwide. The sport is experiencing increased viewership, greater prize money, and expanding opportunities for female athletes. Stark’s win, accompanied by a $2.4 million prize, underscores the rising stakes and professionalism in women’s golf.
Looking ahead, Stark’s challenge will be to build on this momentum. As a relatively young player with a handful of LPGA titles already, she has the potential to become one of the dominant forces in the sport over the next decade. Her mental approach, which emphasizes process over confidence, could serve as a model for others striving to compete at the highest level.
Other Notable Performances
While Stark and Korda dominated headlines, the tournament showcased impressive performances from a range of players. Japan’s Rio Takeda finished tied for second, signaling a growing presence of Asian players in women’s golf’s upper echelon. South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi also performed well, finishing at four under and tying for fourth alongside Ruoning Yin of China and Mao Saigo of Japan.
England’s Charley Hull put in a steady performance, climbing the leaderboard early before slipping slightly with bogeys late in her round, finishing joint 12th. Fellow English amateur Lottie Woad earned the low amateur honor despite a challenging final round, showing promise for future tournaments.
Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh struggled in the closing stages after a strong start, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the U.S. Women’s Open and the difficulty of maintaining form over four demanding rounds.
The Broader Significance of the U.S. Women’s Open
The U.S. Women’s Open remains the most prestigious event in women’s golf, attracting the best players from around the world to compete on a stage that tests every skill. Winning this championship not only delivers a lucrative payday but also confers immense status and can serve as a career-defining moment.
For Stark, this victory is a gateway to greater recognition and endorsement opportunities. It also raises expectations for her to continue competing at the highest level, not only in majors but throughout the LPGA Tour.
Conclusion
Maja Stark’s maiden major title at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open is a story of resilience, skill, and mental strength. By overcoming early doubts, maintaining steady nerves under pressure, and executing key shots on a demanding course, Stark has announced herself as one of the rising stars in women’s golf.
Her triumph adds to Sweden’s proud tradition in the sport and shines a spotlight on the growing international diversity and competitiveness of women’s golf. As Stark embarks on the next chapter of her career, fans and analysts alike will watch with keen interest to see how far this new major champion can go.