Golf: Takeda finishes 2nd as Stark wins U.S. Women's Open
Japanese rookie Rio Takeda finished tied for second at the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday as overnight leader Maja Stark of Sweden held on for a two-shot victory.
Stark closed with an even-par 72 for a 7-under 281 total and her first major title. Takeda also shot a 72 and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the United States carded a 71, leaving them two strokes back.
"I didn't think I would be able to do it this week," Stark said of her win that earned her $2.4 million. "You always kind of know that it's possible, but there are so many good golfers on this tour."
"I just had to stay calm. I didn't look at the leaderboard until I was on...I think 17. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be because I felt like I have somewhat control of my game and I kind of know what's going on."
A trio of Japanese players, Takeda, Mao Saigo and Hinako Shibuno, tried to make up a two-shot deficit heading into the final round.
But they struggled to make birdies on a tough layout at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin.
"If I had made a few more putts down the stretch, I think I could have tied for the lead," said Takeda, 22, who is having a strong rookie season on the U.S. tour with one victory in March.
"It was a great experience for me to compete on this (tough) course for four days. I want to make use of this experience in my next chance to win."
Saigo could only manage a 73 to share fourth place with South Korea's Choi Hye Jin and China's Yin Ruoning at 4 under for the tournament, the second major of the LPGA season.
Saigo was the winner of the first major, the Chevron Championship, in late April.
Shibuno tied for seventh a shot further back after a 74.
Related coverage:
Golf: Chisato Iwai wins 1st U.S. tour title in Mexico
Golf: Hideki Matsuyama misses PGA Championship cut for 1st time in career
Golf: Japan's Mao Saigo wins 1st LPGA major of year in 5-way playoff
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