OSU’s Maja Stark ties for 13th in U.S. Women’s Open
HOUSTON, Texas – Buoyed by a second-round eagle and a week of solid golf, Oklahoma State sophomore Maja Stark carded a 5-over 289 to finish in a tie for 13th at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Playing in her first career major, Stark posted seven birdies to go with that Friday eagle at the Champions Golf Club. She finished in a tie for the second-best amateur in the field behind only Texas senior Kaitlyn Papp, who was just two strokes better in a T9 finish.
This stellar result will doubtlessly help Stark climb even higher in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She entered the event ranked 14th, but has been as high as No. 6 in the WAGR.
A Lim Kim made her first U.S. Women’s Open appearance a memorable one , closing with three straight birdies to tie the record for the largest comeback and win the biggest event in women’s golf.
Starting the final, frigid round at Champions Golf Club five shots behind, the 25-year-old South Korean wore a heavy down jacket between shots and delivered a 4-under 67 for a one-shot victory over Amy Olson and Jin Young Ko.
With rounds of 70-72-73-74 (+3) 289, Stark best three former Cowgirls in the field, including 2018 ANA Inspiration winner, Pernilla Lindberg, who finished in a tie for 58th. Caroline Masson and Caroline Hedwall also participated in the event but did not make the cut.
Stark will have little time to celebrate as she will now head to the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup, a prestigious Ryder Cup-style competition featuring the top players in collegiate golf. The event will be played Dec. 21-23 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
The Oklahoma State women’s golf team will return to action on Feb. 7-9 at the LTWF Heroes in Sarasota, Florida.