\n<\/p>\n
Stark, meanwhile, was celebrating her breakthrough major triumph and her first title on American soil thanks to her composed two-shot win over Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old Swede gave European golf a huge fillip on Sunday by winning America’s national championship, resisting the chasing pack on a tense final day.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought that I would be,” Stark revealed. “It felt like I had somewhat control of my game and I kind of know what’s going on.<\/p>\n
“With the pressure, your mistakes get bigger but it felt like I could control anything that was thrown at me.”<\/p>\n
Stark’s short-range putting withstood intense pressure to add to her six Ladies European Tour wins and join fellow Swedes Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann as a US Open winner.<\/p>\n
“It’s so cool,” said the new champion. “They texted me and just kind of said, ‘bring it home’.<\/p>\n
“That was already cool to just get those texts. Just looking at all the names on the trophy. I love the US Open. I’m so happy that it’s mine now.”<\/p>\n
Erin Hills – particularly at the weekend, when the greens played significantly firmer and faster – was a formidable and typical US Open test, more so than when Brooks Koepka won the men’s title there in 2017.<\/p>\n
Like St Andrews, the home of last year’s AIG Women’s Open, the course was played as intended because the golfers were having to hit longer clubs to small targets with unforgiving run-off areas.<\/p>\n
But on the downside, the course is remote and wide open, which made the galleries appear unflatteringly sparse. This was not a good look for the women’s game and the players deserve better showcasing.<\/p>\n
The final pair of Stark and rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez lost a hole on the group in front which highlighted the problem of glacial pace of play and again detracted from the spectacle.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Stark can celebrate a hugely significant victory which might inspire European Solheim Cup team-mates such as compatriot Linn Grant and Britain’s Charley Hull in the three remaining majors of the year.<\/p>\n
Looking further ahead, England’s Lottie Woad reaffirmed her huge potential by comfortably making the cut and taking the amateur honours, finishing in a share of 31st.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n