It's Maja the majestic! Stark grabs US crown

1st major for Swede as No.1 Korda wilts

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Maja Stark has won tournaments around the world, but a professional victory in the United States eluded her.

Now she's a US Women’s Open champion.

Stark carded an even-par 72 to win the second major of the year by two shots on Sunday at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin.

The 25-year-old from Sweden led the championship by one stroke through 54 holes and outlasted World No.1 Nelly Korda, who got within a shot of the lead before petering out on the back nine.

“I just didn’t want to get ahead of myself. I thought there's still a lot of golf left to be played,” Stark said. “I just felt like people are going to pass me probably, and I just had to stay calm through that.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboards until I was on like 17. I caught a glimpse of it. It was nice.”

Stark posted a 7-under-par 281 for the week. Korda (71) tied for second with Japan’s Rio Takeda (72) at 5 under, and South Korea's Hye-Jin Choi carded a 68 to claim a share of fourth place at 4 under with countrywoman Mao Saigo (73) and China’s Ruoning Yin (70).