Maja Stark took her career's first major win when she won the US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin at the beginning of June.
Apart from a prize check of around 23 million kronor, the win secured playing rights on the LPGA tour for the next five years.
"The back has taken a hit"
What is actually the big thing about a major is that you get a tour card for five years and that I can then work on long-term things, says Maja Stark at a press conference before this week's major tournament PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas.
This is why she mentions the 15-time major winner Tiger Woods in this context. After winning the US Masters in the spring of 1997 – his first major title – the legend rebuilt his swing.
I can do a Tiger – even if things are good they can always get much better. I can take that I struggle a bit with the irons for a while now to get even better later.
Stark says she wants a swing that is a little kinder to the body.
I have trained quite a lot of swing this year and the back has taken a hit.
Already the week after the US Open win, the 25-year-old played on the LPGA tour, but the tournament in New Jersey ended with a missed qualifying limit.
"Unpacked the trophy"
Last week, Stark was instead on vacation.
I have celebrated a bit. Unpacked the trophy from the bag – it's big, she says and laughs.
I have had a bit of anxiety about how much stuff I have in my apartment, because it's not that huge.
After the major win, Stark said she might treat herself to a larger apartment than the one in Nashville where she lives.
Right now, however, it is uncertain how that will turn out.
I might move to a larger apartment when my rental contract expires, but I'm quite satisfied. I just have too much stuff in the apartment right now, says Maja Stark.
Daniel Kihlström/TT
Fact: PGA Championship
TT
The women's third major tournament – out of five in total – for the season is the PGA Championship, which will be decided Thursday–Sunday this week in Frisco, Texas.
The tournament is played on the Fields Ranch East course (par 72).
A total of 156 players will start with a qualifying limit after two days of play.
The following seven Swedish players are participating: Maja Stark, Anna Nordqvist, Linn Grant, Linnea Ström, Madelene Sagström, Ingrid Lindblad, and Frida Kinhult.
The title defender is Amy Yang, South Korea.
