Maja Stark had a whirlwind 2021 which saw her turn professional and win three events including two on the LET in three starts, and the Swede is looking to put in another strong performance in her first LET event of the season this week at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
The 22-year-old won on her home course in the PGA Championship By Trelleborgs Kommun to secure her maiden title on the LET Access Series, before securing victory at the Creekhouse Ladies Open and Estrella Damm Ladies Open.
Her stunning start to professional life saw her finish sixth on the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol from just six events and it was better than Stark could have even imagined.
“It had been a hectic year already with going to college having so much to do all the time being a pro was like a little bit of a break,” said the Swede.
“I started with like four tournaments in three weeks and I had week break which I never had before so that was pretty fun.
“I was very happy with last year. If someone told me, I would have full status on the LET at the beginning of last year I would be very happy with that. There are still many things to get better at but I’m very happy.”
After her second-place finish at the season finale in Spain, Stark headed off on her winter break and spent some time with her brother.
A bout of illness meant the 2017 PING Junior Solheim Cup player took a month off but soon began to practice again.
“I went up to my brother – he’s working at a ski resort in the north of Sweden – so I went up there but then I got sick and took a month off,” she continued.
“I just wanted to get back to competing but took some time off. I didn’t practice loads because the greens were closed in the winter, so I hit a lot of golf shots on the range. I have just been working on some technique stuff since then.”
Last month Stark headed to the United States to get play some competitive golf on the Epson Tour and was also able to meet up with some friends from Oklahoma State University.
And although the two-time LET winner was disappointed with her missed cut at Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, she finished T15 at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic.
“The first tournament was really bad but the second one was better. I was using that as some competition preparation for the LET,” she explained.
“I went to Oklahoma in between; it was really nice to see my college friends again but it’s really nice to be back here on the LET again.”
At last year’s inaugural Scandinavian Mixed, Stark played while still an amateur and put in an impressive performance to end the week in a tie for 18th place.
And the 22-year-old is looking forward to getting back on the LET and starting her season with two weeks at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Series, where she plans to kickstart her season with a strong performance at Siam Country Club.
She added: “I think it’s fun! I haven’t played in that many mixed events, but I played in the Scandi Mixed and I enjoyed that.
“I’m ready for my season to start, I want to win again and I’m looking to get some Race to Costa del Sol points on the board.
“I have scheduled so many tournaments this season and I just want to get started. I try not to have expectations for the year, but my coach’s motto is ‘be prepared for anything’ and that’s worked well so far.”
