Nelly Korda’s sister Jessica announces probable LPGA comeback date
Nelly Korda had one of her best seasons in golf in 2024, winning seven LPGA Tour titles in 16 starts. However, her sister Jessica hasn't made an LPGA outing since withdrawing from the Cognizant Founders Cup in May 2023. Now, the 31-year-old is aiming for a return in 2026.
Having established herself in the circuit, Jessica faced a major setback due to a back injury. She also took time off for the birth of her first child, Greyson, on February 3rd, 2024. It is pertinent to note that the LPGA Tour’s maternity policy allows players to break up to 24 months from the date of the child’s birth. The six-time LPGA winner is now looking to return to the circuit.
Speaking at the Grant Thornton Invitational, Jessica Korda said, as quoted by Golf Monthly:
“I’m definitely itching to be able to play again, how much, I’m not so sure. I’ll take 2025 to assess and then per our maternity, 2026 is kind of what we’re shooting for.”
The Korda sister further admitted being ‘sore’ after swinging a golf club for the first time since pregnancy.
She added:
“(I'm) Definitely sore. It’s been a year and some months that I didn’t hit any golf balls at all. It’s tough, my shoulder hurts, my forearm, my wrist, my glute muscles, that I hadn’t activated in that way for such a long time.”
Jessica Korda is yet to give a fixed date for her return to the LPGA Tour. However, the latest update rules our rumors regarding her possible retirement. She will not be joining the likes of Lexi Thompson, Marina Alex, Ally Ewing and Amy Olson, who hung up their shoes in 2024.
Jessica Korda’s last season on LPGA Tour
Jessica Korda claimed her first LPGA Tour win at the 2012 Women's Australian Open. The 31-year-old golfer went on to register five more wins in the next 13 years. Her last win came at the 2021 Tournament of Champions. The veteran golfer has since played several events and has also been part of TV coverages and duties, including at the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship.
The Korda sister started off her 2023 season with a 66th-place finish at the HSBC Women's World Championship. The three-time Solheim Cup star went on to miss two cuts in the next four events, before making her final appearance at the Cognizant Founders Cup in 2023. She withdrew from the competition with an injury.
Listed below is the breakdown of Jessica Korda’s 2023 season:
- HSBC Women's World Championship - 66th (+17)
- LPGA Drive On Championship - Missed Cut
- DIO Implant LA Open - T18 (-5)
- The Chevron Championship - T28 (+1)
- JM Eagle LA Championship - Missed Cut
- Cognizant Founders Cup – Withdrawn
With her sister Nelly Korda making waves on the women’s golf world, Jessica will be eyeing a strong comeback in the coming years.