The Metropolitan
January/February 2021
Stark, Talley Earn Qualifying St. Peters, MO - The road to the 76th U.S. Women’s Open went through Saint Louis on Wednesday, April 28th. 52 players teed it up at Old Hickory Golf Club for the chance to earn two spots in the field at The Olympic Club. The 36-hole day started off with torrential rain and an hour and fourteen-minute lightning delay. Yet, every player finished their two rounds before sun down. Maja Stark of Sweden earned Low Amateur and Medalist honors. The only player under par at any point during the day, the sophomore at Oklahoma State fired a 2-under 142 (71-71) to claim the first qualifying spot.
rounds, including a 3-under 33 in the morning round that saw steady rain. She led the field with seven birdies. Stark got a spot in the field for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic club from her being No. 13 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. This time around, she had to play for it. “I am so excited, it feels nice to earn my spot this way instead of getting it through the rankings,” Stark said. A familiar face to Saint Louis golf fans, Emma Talley earned the second qualifying spot after posting a 2-over 146 (73-73).
“My putting was key, I think I made a lot of putts that I normally don’t make,” Stark said. “I was steady off the tee and that combination led me to play really well.”
The Alabama graduate was solid throughout the day, playing consistent golf leading the field with 27 pars, including one at No. 18 to claim the second spot by one stroke.
Her 2-under performance was highlighted by going 5-under on the back through the two
“The rounds were very difficult, it was playing really long with a lot of mud balls,
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but that’s what you’re going to have in a U.S. Women’s Open,” Talley said. “I just played one shot at a time, it was a long day so staying patient was key.” This marks the second time Talley has qualified out of Saint Louis or the U.S. Women’s Open, having done so in 2017 at Bogey Hills Country Club. Talley was a member of the 2014 Curtis Cup team that won at Saint Louis Country Club in 2014. “I always appreciate people coming out to watch me, The Curtis Cup was so much fun and it holds a special place in my heart forever.” Daniella Darquea and Cory Lopez claimed the two alternate spots. The U.S. Women’s Open is set for June 3-6 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
