Championship Sunday at Erin Hills Golf Course was full of history, and it was all written by Maja Stark, who became a first-time major winner at the 80th U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally.

The Swede not only became the sixth player from her country to capture a major championship victory, but her win was the 50th major title to be earned by an Epson Tour alumni, adding her name to an impressive list that includes players like Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, Celine Boutier, and Hannah Green, among others.

After turning professional in August of 2021, Stark teed it up later that year at the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series and finished the week in a tie for 85th, earning Epson Tour membership for the 2022 season.

Stark only played in two tournaments on the Official Qualifying Tour of the LPGA before she earned LPGA status, turning in two completely different scores in those two starts. Her Epson Tour debut at the 2022 Central Florida Championship saw Stark post at 12-over and miss the cut, while her second appearance at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic was much better, as the young talent finished 15th after posting a four-day total of 10-under.

Later that season, Stark picked up her first LPGA Tour win as a non-member at the ISPS Handa World Invitational and accepted the immediate membership offered as part of her victory, securing her place on the biggest stage in women’s golf.

Now, in her third full year competing on the LPGA Tour, the Swede can add “major champion” to her young resume. The win was the second of Stark’s career and her first since she won in Northern Ireland in 2022. It was also the two-time European Solheim Cup Team member’s 14th career top-10 result.

Stark also became just the third Swede to hoist the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally trophy, following in Annika Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann’s footsteps. The iconic duo both sent encouraging text messages to Stark before her final round, giving the 25-year-old plenty of confidence and an “I made it” moment.

“That was already cool to just get those texts,” Stark said in her winner’s interview. “Just looking at all the names on the trophy. I love the U.S. Opens. I'm so happy that it's mine now.”

She adds her name to a long list of LPGA greats to earn the Harton S. Semple trophy, including fellow Epson Tour alum and Republic of Korea native, Inbee Park. In fact, the Swede’s win in Erin, Wis., also marked the first U.S. Women’s Open victory by an Epson Tour alum since Park took home the trophy in 2013.

With multiple Epson Tour athletes in the field at the LPGA Tour’s next stop, the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, and Epson Tour graduate Linnea Strom looking to defend her title, more history could be made in Galloway, N.J.

Stark Earns 50th Major Victory by an Epson Tour Alum at U.S. Women's Open

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