Jessica Korda makes returns at Grant Thornton, talks future plans
For the first time in more than two and a half years, Jessica Korda has a tee time. The 32-year-old mom returns to competition this week at the Grant Thornton Invitational, an unofficial mixed team event that’s not too far from her South Florida home.
“I proposed to Bud like four months ago,” Korda joked of asking longtime family friend Bud Cauley to partner with her at Tiburon Golf Club. They are one of 16 teams at the third edition of the Grant Thornton, a three-day event with a purse of $ 4 million.
A six-time winner on the LPGA, Korda was on medical leave for a back injury before she got pregnant with her first child, Greyson. She last played in a tour event in May 2023, when she withdrew after the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup.
Korda returned to the tour from time to time in a media capacity or with a sponsor. She also, of course, came out to support her younger sister Nelly.
“We played our first practice round (on Tuesday) in a couple years. It’s so nice,” said Nelly, who is teaming up with Denny McCarthy this week. “Obviously, she’s been out a couple times here and there and throughout the years, but I’m excited for her to tee it up this week and to kind of feel the nerves back. It’s going to be a fun week. It’s always so nice to have family around. I hope she just has fun and keeps it kind of light.”
LPGA Mom @Thejessicakorda is enjoying her first appearance back in more ways than one 𤣠pic.twitter.com/tV9DxfxWbR
â LPGA (@LPGA) December 11, 2025
When asked how motherhood had changed her perspective, Jessica said she won’t be returning to the LPGA in a full-time capacity. If she were to come back in 2026, it wouldn’t be until mid-March, she said, which allows plenty of time to adjust based on what happens this week.
“It’s a lot tougher managing a schedule, like I’m always late no matter what,” said Korda. “I was never late, I was like clockwork, I was out two hours before.
“Now, just like managing him and also then like trying to get ready for me. I mean, I’m on a foam roller and he’s half on top of me or balls are flying at my face. Just it’s a little bit more chaotic than it was before. But it’s way more fun than it was before. Like I said, golf’s kind of a little bit of an escape from being a mom all day, but also just makes it more fun. Everything’s more enjoyable.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Jessica Korda says she won’t play on LPGA full-time as a mom
