Maja Stark Holds Slim Lead Ahead of US Women’s Open Final Round

Swedish star out in front by one at Erin Hills after composed third round

Maja Stark will sleep on a one-shot lead going into the final round of the US Women’s Open, but don’t expect the 25-year-old Swede to be fazed. After a steady two-under-par 70 on Saturday at Erin Hills, Stark has positioned herself at seven under for the tournament, one shot clear of Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez and two ahead of a trio of Japanese challengers.

It was a round of maturity, composure, and controlled aggression—three birdies, one bogey, and a whole lot of smart golf on a course that punished anything less.

Now, with one more round to play, the five-time Ladies European Tour winner is staring down the biggest opportunity of her career: a first major championship title.

A calm Swede with her eyes on history

Maja Stark avoids mistakes to take 1-shot lead into final round of the U.S. Women’s Open

Stark’s name isn’t new to those who follow the women’s game closely. She made a splash by winning the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational, and has been quietly building a solid resume on both the LPGA and LET circuits. But this weekend in Wisconsin, she has the chance to break into the sport’s top tier in front of a global audience.

After her round, Stark sounded grounded and self-aware—traits that may come in handy when she tees off in Sunday’s final group at 19:10 BST.

“I’m probably going to work out in the morning to try to get some nerves out,” she said with a laugh. “But I think the key is to just keep having fun with it. When I play scared, that’s when I mess up. And you can’t really play scared at a course like this.”

It’s a refreshing approach to a pressure-packed moment. Erin Hills, long and punishing, has proven to be a worthy US Open venue once again, testing patience and precision on every hole. Stark’s Saturday round was a model of discipline—avoiding the blow-ups that plagued many of her closest rivals.

Lopez Ramirez surges into contention

While Stark led from the front, Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez made a statement of her own. Her four-under 68 was the best round of the day, propelling her into solo second at six under and earning her a place in Sunday’s final pairing.

The 20-year-old is still relatively new to the big stage, but her play on Saturday suggested she has the tools—and the mindset—to go toe-to-toe with the best. Her round featured five birdies, including two on her closing three holes, and she looked increasingly comfortable as the afternoon wore on.

Lopez Ramirez, who honed her game in the U.S. college system, could be the breakout star of this year’s US Women’s Open if she can maintain her form.

Japanese trio keeping the pressure on

Just behind the leading duo is a three-way tie for third, with Mao Saigo, Hinako Shibuno, and Rio Takeda all sitting two shots off the pace at five under.

Saigo, who entered the day as the co-leader, endured a frustrating third round. Her putter went cold, and two consecutive bogeys derailed any early momentum. A three-over 75 was not the script she had in mind, but the Chevron Championship winner isn’t panicking.

“I would like to start from zero,” she said. “That result was not that good, but I don’t think that I have to change anything. I just want to focus on my play.”

That measured response sums up Saigo well—disciplined, methodical, and still very much a threat.

Shibuno, the 2019 Women’s British Open champion, and the relatively unheralded Takeda have both played themselves into the mix with consistent performances through three rounds. Shibuno’s ability to handle major pressure is proven, while Takeda could be this week’s under-the-radar surprise.

Nelly Korda lurks with late-round birdie blitz

And then there’s Nelly Korda.

The world No.1 might not have played her best golf over the first two days, but she reminded everyone of her class late on Saturday. After a scratchy front nine, Korda closed with three birdies in her last five holes to post a one-under 71 and move to four under overall—just three back of Stark.

For Korda, who is chasing her third major title, Sunday represents a golden opportunity to cap off what’s already been a dominant season.

It’s no secret that Korda has been the standout player on the LPGA Tour in 2024, and even from a few shots back, she remains the biggest name in contention.

Final round promises a dramatic finish

The leaderboard is tightly packed. The course is brutal. And the nerves will be buzzing.

Sunday at the US Women’s Open promises to deliver everything fans could hope for: a young leader chasing her first major, a new Spanish star rising, a group of Japanese contenders with serious credentials, and the world’s top-ranked player waiting to pounce.

Erin Hills, with its sprawling fairways and cavernous bunkers, won’t make it easy. In fact, it’s likely to expose any weaknesses and reward only the most composed performances.

For Maja Stark, the challenge will be staying present—playing her own game, staying aggressive without being reckless, and embracing the pressure rather than fearing it.

“I just want to keep having fun,” she said again, almost as a mantra.

It’s a simple philosophy, but on Sunday, at one of golf’s most demanding championships, it might be the key to glory.