Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda are competing in the same official LPGA event for the first time in nearly three years this week. The sisters are at the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club.
Sisters Together Again
Jessica Korda last played in an official tour event in May 2023. She withdrew after the first round of the Founders Cup. She had been on medical leave for a back injury before her pregnancy with her first child, Greyson.
“I didn’t think I would tee it up again after I was withdrawing out of a couple events in 2023, so being here, feeling good, we’ll see where it takes us,” Jessica said. “Three years is a very long time.”
The first time the sisters played together on the big stage was the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open. The USGA paired them together at Sebonack.
Nelly’s Season So Far
Nelly Korda won the first event of the season. She then took the next six weeks off from the tour. She returned last week at the Fortinet Founders Cup, where she lost by one to Hyo Joo Kim.
Family Time in Arizona
The Korda family is staying together in a house this week. Nelly cooked. Their mother, Regina, has confiscated the baby monitor.
“At Grant Thornton, after the first day, Greyson decided to not sleep,” said Jessica, “So, I didn’t sleep from midnight to 5 a.m. It adds another variable to golf, to preparation.”
Nelly enjoys having her sister around. It was an adjustment for her, taking on the tour without a built-in best friend. They’re having a blast together in Arizona. It’s like old times, only different.
“Greyson is at such a fun age where there is always something to do and he’s just so much fun and laughing all the time,” said Nelly. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
Jessica’s Return
Jessica now practices about three days a week. Mondays she usually gets in a 90-minute session. Some days it’s as little as 45 minutes.
“I definitely prioritize my time with my son over golf, so it’s not nearly as exciting as it used to be practicing,” said the eldest Korda.
Staying mentally sharp is another adjustment for Jessica. She plays most of her golf in a cart back home in South Florida. Sometimes she doesn’t get in the full 18, rushing home to relieve the babysitter.
The back pain still comes, but she’s able to manage it. She’s been working with swing instructor Jason Baile on the fundamentals, struggling through a grip change.
“I played injured for so long that I created some bad habits, so it was just going backwards to watching Nelly’s hips rotate so nicely and that’s exactly what I strive to do,” Jessica said. “But it’s a very slow process.”
Jessica, a six-time winner on the LPGA, turned 33 on Feb. 27.
On Tuesday at the Ford Championship, Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda compared their matching navy shirts.