Stark in pole position for 1st major title

Maja Stark fired three birdies in an impressively steady two-under-par 70 at unforgiving Erin Hills on Saturday to seize a one-stroke lead over Julia Lopez Ramirez heading into the final round of the 80th US Women's Open.

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Sweden’s Stark, a European Solheim Cup stalwart chasing her first major title, kept her focus in a round that stretched nearly six hours as players wrestled with firm, fast greens on a breezy, sunny day in Wisconsin.

Her seven-under-par total of 209 put her one stroke clear of Spanish qualifier Lopez Ramirez, whose four-under-par 68 was the best score of a day on which only nine players broke par.

Japan's Mai Saigo, who started the day with a three-shot lead, carded a three-over-par 75 to share third alongside compatriots Rio Takeda and Hinako Shibuno on five-under 211.

World No.1 Nelly Korda, who played alongside Saigo in the final group, finished strong with a one-over 73 that left her three adrift on four-under 212.

Stark said the very difficulty of the course actually made her less anxious — a key for her as she tries to kick the habit of “playing scared”.