Golf: Takeda finishes 2nd as Stark wins U.S. Women's Open
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 11:00 | Sports, All
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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