The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills delivered a dramatic showdown as Sweden’s Maja Stark clinched her first major championship, outlasting world No. Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda by two strokes. Stark finished the tournament at under par, carding an even-par 72 in the final round to secure the title and a record-breaking $2.4 million prize—the largest first-place payout in the event’s history.
This year’s championship set a new standard with a $12 million purse, underscoring the growing investment and recognition in women’s golf. The winner’s share now represents 20% of the total, bringing the event closer to parity with the men’s U.S. Open.
The leaderboard saw fierce competition, with Korda and Takeda tying for second at under. The field featured eight former champions and three Olympic medalists, but it was Stark’s poised play on the demanding Wisconsin course that captured headlines.
Stark’s victory marks her second career win this season, solidifying her status as a rising star on the LPGA Tour and leaving fans and analysts eager to see what she’ll do next.
