'Non-member' Stark "Thrilling Comeback Victory"... "Now I'm an LPGA Member Too"

Stark Wins ISPS Handa World Invitational FR with 10-Under Par, 5-Shot Victory
First LPGA Tour Win in 9 Tournaments, 13th Swedish Winner
Korea's Kim Arim Tied 18th, Lee Miyang Tied 22nd

Maya Stark is smiling brightly holding the trophy right after winning the ISPS Handa World Invitational. Photo by LPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae] It is a come-from-behind victory for 'LPGA non-member' Maya Stark (Sweden).

On the 14th (local time), at Galgorm Castle Golf Club (par 73, 6,621 yards) in Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK, the ISPS Handa World Invitational (total prize money $1.5 million), a tournament co-hosted by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour (LET), concluded with Stark shooting 10 under par on the final day to secure a commanding 5-stroke victory (20 under par 271). Stark claimed her first win in her ninth LPGA Tour appearance. The winner's prize money was $225,000 (approximately 290 million KRW).

Starting from a tie for 4th place, 2 strokes behind, Stark swept up 10 birdies without a single bogey. She made 6 birdies in the front nine to take a 3-stroke lead and maintained momentum with a streak of three consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 14 on the back nine, achieving a decisive victory. Her accuracy stood out with a fairway hit rate of 71.43% and a greens in regulation rate of 83.33%. She recorded an outstanding 26 putts for the round. Immediately after her win, Stark accepted LPGA Tour membership.

Stark debuted on the LET last year, winning twice, and this season she has collected three wins including this tournament, establishing herself as a 'rising star of Europe.' She currently leads the 'Race to Costa del Sol,' the LET's season-long points ranking. Stark, from Sweden, became the 13th Swedish LPGA Tour champion. Her caddie is Sophie Gustafson (Sweden), who has five LPGA Tour wins and 16 LET victories.

Allison Koepka (USA) finished 2nd (15 under par 276), and Georgia Hall (England) took 3rd place (14 under par 277). From Korea, Kim A-rim (27) recorded one eagle, three birdies, and three bogeys to finish 2 under par, tied for 18th place (7 under par 284). Lee Mi-hyang (29) added one under par to finish tied for 22nd (6 under par 285). After concluding the European schedule, the LPGA Tour will take a week off before holding the CP Women's Open in Ottawa, Canada on the 25th.