Jessica Korda eyes long-awaited LPGA Tour return

Nelly Korda had a groundbreaking season on the LPGA Tour in 2024 winning seven times. A massive star in the sports world, fans will be anxious to see what she can accomplish in 2025. Now, another player who shares the same last name may be looking to make her return.

Jessica Korda, the older sister of Nelly, is looking at possibly returning, not for 2025 but for the 2026 LPGA Tour season. The 31-year-old has not played on tour since 2023 due to a back injury and the birth of her first child, a son named Greyson.

The LPGA's Tour maternity policy allows for up to 24 months of leave. After the lengthy break, Korda will be looking towards the future and the resumption of her golfing career.

Before her leave began, she had won six times on tour. Her last tournament before she took the extended break came at the 2023 Chevron Championship where she finished in a tie for 28th.

Her last victory came at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in 2021 where she won in a playoff over Danielle Kang. Korda also had two top 10s in majors in 2022 including a 2nd place finish at the Chevron Championship.

Jessica Korda has made over $7 million since turning pro in 2011.

“I’m definitely itching to be able to play again, how much, I’m not so sure,” Korda said during the Grant Thornton Invitational. “I’ll take 2025 to assess and then per our maternity, 2026 is kind of what we’re shooting for.”

She has begun to prepare in the hope of regaining the form that has seen her have such a great career to this point. She began to practice again to see where she was with her recovery.

“It was really nice to make some contact. I hit some tough shots that I was really proud of, clipping it nicely,” Jessica Korda added.

As Korda continues with her preparations to return it will be exciting when she eventually does whether that comes at the end of next year or at the beginning of 2026. The LPGA will need new stories to emerge with the likes of Marina Alex and Lexi Thompson having both retired this past season.

A tournament featuring both Korda sisters would be a welcome addition for the LPGA Tour as they begin to look for new ways to gain more viewers and spectators throughout the season.