After seven holes, including two double bogeys in a row followed by a single bogey, the 26-year-old Swede was four over par.
But Stark, who won the major last year, raised her game and finished the first round at even par, with a total of six birdies.
A total of seven Swedes are participating in the US Open at the classic Riviera Country Club in California, among them Madelene Sagström, who is playing her tenth US Open while 27 weeks pregnant. However, Sagström opened with a round of 77 (+6).
Things went better for amateur Meja Örtengren, who came in with 73, two over par.
Maja Stark claimed the first major of her career when she won the US Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin last year.
The competition is ongoing.
