Sweden’s Maja Stark stunned the golf world by capturing her first major title at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, outlasting a world-class field at Erin Hills with a poised final round and a steely nerve that belied her recent struggles.
Stark, 25, finished at 7-under-par, two shots ahead of world No. Nelly Korda and Japan’s Rio Takeda, sealing the win with a composed even-par 72 on Sunday The victory not only marks her as the third Swedish golfer ever to win the U.S. Women’s Open—joining legends Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann—but also comes as a personal breakthrough after a rocky start to the season.
Her triumph was worth a record $2.4 million, the largest winner’s check in women’s golf history, thanks to the event’s $12 million purse Stark’s win is her second career LPGA Tour title, but her first at a major, and she credits her turnaround to letting go of self-doubt and focusing on process over perfection.
The leaderboard was packed with young talent, as none of the top six players entering the final round were older than 26. Korda, seeking her third major, settled for a share of second after a late bogey, while Takeda continued her impressive rise with another top finish.
Stark’s victory signals a new era on the LPGA Tour and sets the stage for the 2025 season, with the next U.S. Women’s Open set for Riviera Country Club. The question now: can anyone stop the surging Swede as she joins the ranks of golf’s elite?
