Maja Stark Seizes Lead At U.S. Women’s Open Amid Erin Hills Carnage
Erin, Wis. – Maja Stark displayed remarkable resilience at Erin Hills, carding a 2-under 70, as the U.S. Women’s Open presented a formidable challenge on Saturday. Stark’s performance has positioned her to potentially claim the coveted $2.4 million prize. The course’s tougher setup instantly signaled that round three would be unlike the initial days of competition.
The 25-year-old Swede concluded the day at 7-under 209, granting her a one-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round. julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain posted the day’s best score,a 4-under 68,placing her in second.
Stark’s Mindset For The Final Round
Stark shared her strategy for Sunday: “I think I’m just going to try to play freely. I think that no one has ever played well when they’ve been playing scared,and I think that’s been my habit before,to just kind of try to hang on to it.”
Top Contenders And Their Performances
The Japanese contingent of Rio Takeda (70), hinako Shibuno (72) and second-round leader Mao Saigo (75) are trailing at 5 under.Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked player, sits at 4 under after shooting a 73.
The course setup-featuring speedier greens and more challenging pin placements-caused considerable difficulty for the entire field, resulting in numerous double and triple bogeys.
A stark example occurred on the par-4 15th hole, where Esther Henseleit’s ambitious 55-foot eagle putt rolled an remarkable 90 feet past the hole and into the rough, culminating in a double bogey.
Stark commented on the intricacies of the course, “It’s so hard because they tend to put holes that are right on the edges of the slopes, so you can see going into the grain and up until the hole, and then after the hole you just see that the grain is going the other way. It’s just so hard to get the distances right. It’s really scary when you know if you putt this five feet by, then that’s gone.”
Lopez Ramirez’s Unexpected Surge
Amidst the chaos, Lopez Ramirez mounted an impressive comeback, especially notable considering she underwent an appendectomy less then three months ago.
The 22-year-old rookie, despite not finishing higher than a tie for 29th in her seven previous LPGA Tour appearances this season, was a two-time SEC Player of the Year (2023 and 2024) while at Mississippi State. She reflected on the pressure of high-stakes competition: “I do believe that obviously when you’re in college and you’re about to win an event you have the same nerves. That’s the most you care in that moment. You just want to win that tournament.”
Saigo’s Struggles And Reflections
Saigo, who began the day with a three-shot lead, faltered with three consecutive bogeys on holes 4-6, dropping her into a tie for the lead. She briefly regained sole possession of the lead with an 8½-foot birdie putt on the 12th, but Stark matched her with a 21½-foot birdie on the par-3 16th. Bogeys on the final two holes then relegated Saigo to two strokes behind.
Saigo attributed her difficulties to the challenging pin placements. “The frist thing is I’d like to rest well and then tomorrow [come out] refreshed and I’d like to start from zero,” Saigo stated through an interpreter.
Pro Tip: Analyzing course conditions before a round can significantly improve your strategy. pay attention to green speed, pin placements, and potential hazards to make informed decisions on each shot.
Other Contenders Face Setbacks
A Lim Kim, who was among those tied for second entering saturday, birdied the first hole to reach 6 under. Though, she then endured a disastrous stretch of 7 over on the subsequent four holes, carding a bogey, double-bogey, triple-bogey, and another bogey. Kim ultimately finished with a 77.
Similarly,Jin Hee Im birdied two of her first three holes to reach 6 under before a triple-bogey on the par-4 fourth derailed her momentum.Noh also reached 6 under before a double bogey on the 3rd. Im finished with a 79, while Noh shot a 75.
Korda struggled on the front nine, recording a 40 with four bogeys and no birdies. She rallied on the back nine with three birdies in her last five holes. “It’s just a golf course where you may not hit it in the right spot and it’ll go down 40 feet and rather of being almost tap-in range, now you have a 40-foot chip where it’s running off the back, as well,” Korda explained. “you just know that your mentality is that you’re going to make mistakes, but you can also bounce back here.”
Leaderboard Summary
| player | Score |
|---|---|
| maja Stark | -7 |
| Julia Lopez Ramirez | -6 |
| Rio Takeda | -5 |
| Hinako Shibuno | -5 |
| Mao Saigo | -5 |
| Nelly Korda | -4 |
The Growing Popularity Of Women’s Golf
Women’s golf has seen a surge in popularity,attracting younger audiences and increased media coverage. According to a recent report by the LPGA, viewership has increased by 40% in the last five years, showcasing the growing interest in the sport. The U.S. Women’s Open, in particular, stands as a beacon of excellence, drawing top talents from around the globe to compete on challenging courses.
The event not only highlights exceptional athletic skill but also contributes significantly to the local economy, generating revenue through tourism, hospitality, and related sectors. As women’s golf continues to evolve, its influence on sports culture and economic growth is poised to expand even further.
Frequently Asked Questions About The U.S. Women’s Open
- Who is Maja Stark?
Maja Stark is a 25-year-old professional golfer from Sweden, currently leading the U.S. Women’s Open. - Where is the U.S. Women’s Open being held?
The U.S. Women’s Open is being held at Erin hills in Erin, Wisconsin. - What makes Erin Hills a challenging course?
Erin hills is known for its speedier greens and tricky pin placements, which have caused difficulties for many golfers. - How did Julia Lopez ramirez perform in the third round?
julia Lopez Ramirez shot a 4-under 68, the best score of the day, placing her in second position. - What was Nelly Korda’s experience in the third round?
Nelly Korda shot a 1-over 73, struggling on the front nine but rallying with three birdies on her last five holes.
What are your predictions for the final round? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
