'Had A Lot of Anxiety': LPGA Star Breaks Silence on Mental Health Battle During Chevron Championship

LPGA star Maja Stark has opened up about the mental health struggles she faced during the Chevron Championship, revealing that she experienced significant anxiety even after achieving one of the highest accomplishments in women's golf — winning the U.S. Women's Open.

Stark's confession is striking in its honesty. After winning a major championship, she was met with cruel online criticism — including messages asking why she sucks — rather than the support one might expect. The experience took a real toll, and her willingness to discuss it publicly sheds light on a side of professional sports that highlight reels never show.

The pressure on elite athletes is immense, and women in professional sports often face a disproportionate amount of online abuse, body shaming, and personal attacks that go far beyond criticism of their performance. Stark's story illustrates how even the highest achievements don't insulate athletes from the psychological damage of public scrutiny.

Mental health in sports has become an increasingly visible issue, with athletes across multiple leagues and sports speaking out about anxiety, depression, and burnout. Stark joins a growing list of athletes — including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and others — who have chosen transparency over the traditional stoicism that professional sports has long demanded.

The Chevron Championship, one of the five majors in women's golf, brings heightened attention and pressure. Playing through anxiety at that level requires not just physical skill but extraordinary mental resilience — and Stark's decision to name it publicly is itself an act of courage.

What This Means For You: If a professional athlete at the top of her game can struggle with anxiety, so can anyone. Stark's honesty is a reminder that mental health challenges don't disappear when things are going well externally. If you're dealing with anxiety — whether at work, at home, or in your personal life — her story is proof that seeking help and speaking up isn't weakness. It's how strong people handle hard things.