Sweden’s Maja Stark wins the ISPS Handa World Invitational and gets LPGA access
BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland — Maja Stark of Sweden closed with a 10-under 63 on Sunday to win the ISPS Handa World Invitational for her third victory of the year on the Ladies European Tour, and this one with an added bonus.
The tournament is co-sanctioned with the LPGA Tour, giving the former Oklahoma State star access to join the LPGA.
Stark started the final round two shots behind Amanda Doherty and quickly took control with a 31 on the front nine at Galgorm Castle. She had nine birdies through 14 holes and turned a tight race into a rout.
Stark finished at 20-under 271, five shots ahead of Allisen Corpuz, who finished with a 68.
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The tournament was held at Galgorm Castle and Massereene, played concurrently with an official DP World Tour event. The men and women competed separately but for the same prize pool, with Stark collecting a career total of $225,000 from a $1.5 million purse.
Stark won twice at the LET late last year. She was second (and low female) in the Asian Mixed Stableford, and went on to win the Women’s New South Wales Open and the Amundi German Masters.
The 22-year-old Swede had the option of taking immediate LPGA membership or waiting until 2023 for her rookie year. The LPGA Tour has nine tournaments remaining on the schedule before the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in November.