Jessica Korda Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Jessica Korda withdraws from US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach due to back injury

Golf Digest Middle East — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 06:58:28 +0000

Jessica Korda. Mike Stobe

Jessica Korda hoped her balky back would be healthy enough to compete in the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in two weeks. But it wasn’t meant to be. On Thursday, USGA officials confirmed what was first reported by Golfweek, that the 30-year-old had withdrawn from the championship, one of three exempt players who have bowed out.

Last month, Korda took to Twitter to say that she was stepping away from the game indefinitely in hopes the rest and physical therapy could remedy her issues.

Update pic.twitter.com/mGPkrO5shU

— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) May 28, 2023

It’s unclear what specifically is ailing Korda, who played in five events to start 2023 (best finish T-18 at the DIO Implant LA Open) before withdrawing during the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup.

Last autumn Korda also took time away because of the injury in hopes, playing her last event in September.

In addition to Korda, Japan’s Mone Inami and South Korea’s Hee Jeong Lim also have withdrawn from Pebble Beach. Five players have subsequently been added to the field, with recent LPGA winners already having qualified for the championship, freeing up spots: Azahara Munoz, Moriya Jutanugarn, Allysha Mae Mateo, Jenny Coleman and Kumkang Park.

The US Women’s Open will be played July 6-9. Additionally qualifiers off the top 75 in the Rolex Ranking can earn spots on July 3.

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Jessica Korda announces she’s out indefinitely with lingering back injury

Golf Digest Middle East — Mon, 29 May 2023 06:52:59 +0000

Jessica Korda. Dylan Buell

Jessica Korda’s season is back on hold. The 30-year-old announced on social media on Sunday that she is stepping away indefinitely from the LPGA Tour due to a back injury.

“The last year has been an extremely challenging time for me as I struggle with an injury in my back,” Korda posted on Instagram and Twitter. “Following the advice of my doctor and the guidance of my physio, we’ve committed countless hours of treatment at home and on the road for me to try and get my body healthy and ready to compete each week. Unfortunately, we’ve reached point where the pain is not improving, forcing me to have to withdraw out of several tournaments. As a competitor, it is upsetting to have to do this time and time again. At the advice of my medical team, I have made the tough decision to stop playing until I can get my back fully healthy. At this point, we don’t have a firm timeline for my return but I’m working with the best of the best and am focused on coming back as soon as possible.”

Update pic.twitter.com/mGPkrO5shU

— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) May 28, 2023

The Florida native has made six starts in 2023, with her season bookended with withdrawals. Korda started the year by withdrawing from the Honda LPGA Thailand in February before even hitting a shot, instead beginning the following week at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore on March 2-5, the week after her 30th birthday. Then, in Korda’s last start of the year before announcing her leave, Korda withdrew after the first round of the Cognizant Founder’s Cup at the beginning of May.

Her best finish this year is a T-18 at the DIO Implant LA Open.

It’s another frustrating chapter in a tour career with six LPGA victories and numerous injuries. Concerns with her back led Korda to announce last November that she’d step away, her second break due to an injury in 2022. She also missed a month from February to March due to a rib injury. She withdrew from the 2017 Solheim Cup team due to a forearm injury and had reconstructive jaw surgery in December of that year. However, she’s shown resilience from injury before. She won the 2018 Honda LPGA Thailand just 11 weeks after her jaw operation.

According to the field lists on the LPGA’s website, the next event Korda is currently in is the Amundi Evian Championship from July 27-30 in France. That has her missing the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, June 22-25. The LPGA’s website does not include information for the US Women’s Open because that event is run by the USGA. If Korda can’t automatically qualify, and is healthy, she’ll be an option for one of US captain Stacy Lewis’ three captain’s picks.

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Korda confirms: Major champions headline Aramco Team Series — Florida

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 04 May 2023 08:02:00 +0000

Jessica Korda. Dylan Buell

A host of stars from the world of women’s professional golf will be in Florida in May, competing in the second event this year’s Aramco Team Series at Trump International Golf Club West Palm Beach between May 19-21.

Following the recent announcements that world No. 6 and Aramco Team Series New York champion Lexi Thompson and the current world No. 2 and two-time major champion Lydia Ko will be competing in the Aramco Team Series in Florida, they will be playing alongside a stellar field which includes six-time LPGA winner Jessica Korda, major champions Patty Tavatanakit and Pernilla Lindberg as well as a host of American and European Solheim Cup stars who will be competing for the title in May.

Aramco Team Series and Golf Saudi ambassadors and multiple tour winners Anne van Dam, Marianne Skarpnord, Stephanie Kyriacou, Pia Babnik, Alison Lee, Emily Pedersen, Carlota Ciganda, Lindsey Weaver Wright, Olivia Cowan, Chiara Noja, and the previous winner of the Aramco Team Series — Singapore Pauline Roussin complete what is set to be a strong field who will battle it out for both team and individual honours in Florida.

World No. 26 and six-time LPGA winner Korda returns to the Aramco Team Series, having competed previously in New York where she finished tied-fourth, and tied-18th in 2021 and 2022 respectfully. Korda’s best result in the Aramco Team Series came last year at Sotogrande where she finished tied-second individually and was victorious in the team event with a combined score of 33-under alongside her teammates Noora Komulainen, Tereza Melecka and their amateur partner, Malcolm Borwick.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing in the Aramco Team Series during the last two years,” Korda said. “It offers something different for the professionals and I’m fortunate that I’ve had some strong finishes when I’ve competed. It’s a truly international circuit and international field, and as the profile of this event continues to grow, the competition is only going to get tougher.”

“I’m looking forward to building on my success in Spain and being in contention for team and individual titles in the Aramco Team Series in Florida.”

The Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour is competed across five global destinations throughout the year. After kicking off in Singapore, the series moves on to Florida, London and Hong Kong before concluding in Riyadh in October. May’s event consists of 36 teams comprising of one amateur and three professionals who compete for a $1million prize fund. Aside from the team event, there is a three-day individual stroke play competition contested among the professionals which contributes to both Race to Costa del Sol and Rolex World Ranking points.

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Greg Norman says LIV Golf discussing women’s series

Golf Digest Middle East — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:53:53 +0000

In its debut season last year, LIV Golf managed to sign a list of PGA Tour stars from Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and reigning Open champion Cameron Smith. Officials with the league said they would also, eventually, turn their attention to the biggest stars in women’s golf. Could that be happening sooner rather than later?

That’s the word from LIV commissioner Greg Norman. Speaking at the league’s Australian debut tournament, LIV Golf Adelaide, Norman said LIV officials had earmarked a women’s series as a future project.

“That is a discussion we have internally on a regular basis. I have personally had discussions with individual LPGA Tour players, Ladies European Tour,” Norman said at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide. “They love what our product is showcasing. They ask all the time: ‘How can we get involved?’ We’d love to see a LIV ladies series.”

No timeline was given, but Norman, a two-time Open champion and former World No. 1, said a standalone women’s league would be discussed once LIV Golf gets through its sophomore season. Last year, LIV Golf debuted with eight tournaments featuring 54-hole formats and $20 million individual prize purses.

“From our perspective, last year was a beta season,” Norman said. “Our focus is … 2023 and going forward we’re looking what are the best opportunities to build on.”

Golf Saudi is already heavily involved in women’s golf. It hosts six events on the Ladies European Tour, called the Aramco Team Series, with one of those events held in the United States. American players such as Lexi Thompson, Danielle Kang, Nelly and Jessica Korda, and Alison Lee have teed up in Golf Saudi events, as have international stars such as Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Atthaya Thitikul, Anna Nordqvist, Minjee Lee and Leona Maguire.

As previously reported by Golf Digest, sources close to the LPGA have pointed to Thompson as Golf Saudi’s top target. That’s because she already played in Golf Saudi’s tournaments, including the $5 million Aramco Saudi International, and is represented by GSE Worldwide, the agency whose clients make up about a quarter of LIV Golf’s membership. Sources also say Nelly and Jessica Korda are seen as potential signees due to their marketing power; they both have competed in the Aramco Team Series.

LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan has previously said she would listen to any pitch, from Norman and LIV Golf or others, if it was lucrative.

“I would engage in a conversation if it would achieve our aim of promoting women’s golf, but there needs to be input from players and sponsors. There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf.”

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Start to Jessica Korda’s 13th LPGA season still on hold

Clarkwin — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 07:08:57 +0000

Dylan Buell

The start of Jessica Korda’s 13th LPGA season remains on hold. According to the LPGA’s website, Korda is no longer in the field for next week’s Honda LPGA Thailand, the second event of the season. It’s the home of her fifth career victory in 2018 and her LPGA member debut in 2011.

Korda announced in early November that she’d step away due to rehabbing a back injury at her doctor’s suggestion.

“Playing anything further would have made my recovery a lot longer,” Korda tweeted when she stepped away, “so per doctor recommendation and talking to my team, we’ve decided that this is the right call. I’m beyond bummed. I haven’t had the most luck when it comes to injuries in my career, nonetheless I’m going to keep on keeping on.”

Korda has battled a lengthy injury history over her career. The 29-year-old missed time earlier in 2022 due to a rib injury. She withdrew six holes into the LPGA’s Drive on Championship in February and returned at the JTBC Classic in late March.

Hi pic.twitter.com/OBlZULnS2F

— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) November 8, 2022

The six-time winner had an extensive operation in December 2017 to put 27 screws into her mouth to fix a substantial overbite that affected her sleep. She missed the 2017 Solheim Cup earlier in the season due to a left forearm injury.

Korda reflected on how challenging managing her injuries has been following her last victory at the 2021 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

“My family is everything,” Korda said, “They’re my biggest support system. They believe in me more than I believe in myself. They’re always there to pick me up when I’m down.

“Let me tell you, I’ve been down.”

As much as Korda’s battled through her injuries, it hasn’t stopped her from being competitive. She won the 2018 Honda LPGA Thailand merely 11 weeks following her reconstructive jaw surgery.

It’s an ability she’ll need to rely on when she returns this year. As of now, Korda sits 19th in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings. That spot qualifies for the U.S. in the Solheim Cup by being the top-ranked player not in by Solheim Cup points. The three-time Solheim veteran is eighth in points, six behind Meghan Khang for the final points position.

However, time is more pressing for earning her way into the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown. Currently, Korda’s on the outside looking in. She sits two back of Danielle Kang (17th) in the rankings for the fourth and last spot on Team USA. The final seeding will be confirmed via the Rolex Rankings following the DIO Implant LA Open on April 3.

Three tournaments remain after the Honda LPGA Thailand before International Crown rosters finalize: The HSBC Women’s World Championship March 2-5, LPGA Drive On Championship March 23-26, and the DIO Implant LA Open March 30-April 2. Per the tour’s website, of those three tournaments, Korda is only in the field at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

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Jessica Korda announces back injury as reason for early end to her 12th season on the LPGA

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 06:41:00 +0000

By Keely Levins
With only one regular season event and the tour championship remaining on the LPGA calendar, Jessica Korda has announced that her season is over early. In a social media post, Korda cited a back injury, saying that her doctor told her that if she continued to play her recovery would be greatly extended. So, to keep recovery at a minimum and get back to playing as soon as possible, she decided to take a break now.

Though the six-time LPGA winner did not specify what the injury is or the types of treatment she’ll be receiving, but did say that she is looking forward to next season — her 13th on the LPGA — hinting that the injury isn’t serious enough to keep her out for an extended period.

Hi pic.twitter.com/OBlZULnS2F

— Jessica Korda (@Thejessicakorda) November 8, 2022

Korda, 27, had collected six top-10 finishes this year on the LPGA, with her best finish a second-place performance at the Chevron Championship back in March. The last event she played was the Ascendant LPGA benefitting Volunteers of America in September. She tied for 24th place.

This isn’t the first time an injury has kept Korda from competition. At the beginning of this season, she had a rib sprain that caused her to withdraw from February’s Drive On Championship. In the past, she’s also dealt with a wrist injury, which was the reason she did not play in the 2017 Solheim Cup in Iowa.

Korda announcing the end of her season has implications for others on the CME points list. The top 60 and ties get into the CME Group Tour Championship, and the chance to compete for one of the largest purses of the year. At the time of this announcement, Korda ranked No. 32 on the points list. With her out, everyone below her would move up a spot. That would shift Moriya Jutanugarn from No. 61 to the coveted No. 60 spot.

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From Korda to Davies, with Dubai’s Chiara Noja thrown in, strongest field takes on Aramco Team Series — New York

Matt Smith — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 11:36:44 +0000

By Matt Smith
After two well-earned weeks off, new Golf Saudi ambassador and 2023 Ladies European Tour card holder Chiara Noja and the rest of the field get back into action at Ferry Point with the Aramco Team Series – New York.

This looks like the strongest field ever in an ATS event with stars checking in from across the globe.

The individual 54-hole strokeplay tournament and 36-hole team event kicks off on Thursday with $500,000 on offer in both competitions.

Last time out, the Korda sisters wowed the crowds at Sotogrande, Spain, with Nelly grabbing the individual title, while Jessica took the team crown.

The Korda sisters are back for more in the Golf Saudi event, with Jessica ready to defend her NY team title from 2021, and Nelly ready to go one better, as she missed out to Charley Hull last time out in the Big Apple.

More: Chiara ready to take on the Big Apple
Van Dam targets a double impact

Speaking of which, Hull is back to defend her ATS — New York Title, alongside a raft of contenders. World No. 8 Lexi Thompson and 2022 Evian major champ Brooke Henderson will both be in attendance, along with fellow North Americans Lindsey Weaver-Wright, Natalie Gulbis, Kelly Whaley, Annie Park and Jillian Hollis.

The legend that is Laura Davies did not want to miss out and former Order of Merit champs Emily Kristine Pedersen (2020), Beth Allen (2016), Hull (2014), Lee-Anne Pace (2010) and Carlota Ciganda (2012), are lining up another shot at glory.

No one looks like having an easy task as there are plenty of 2022 LET champs in the field including Pace (Investec SA Women’s Open) and Ciganda (Estrella Damm Ladies Open) joined by Ana Peláez Trivino (Madrid Ladies Open), Manon De Roey (Aramco Team Series – Bangkok), Tiia Koivisto (Jabra Ladies Open), Bronte Law (Aramco Team Series – London), Anna Nordqvist (Big Green Egg Open), Maja Stark (Women’s NSW Open, Amundi German Masters, ISPS Handa World Invitational), Anne-Charlotte Mora (Åland 100 Ladies Open by Ålandsbanken), Liz Young (VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open), Ines Laklalech (Lacoste Ladies Open de France) and Klara Spilkova (KPMG Women’s Irish Open).

Then there are the Solheim Cup stars such as Becky Brewerton, Linda Wessberg, Anne Van Dam, Leona Maguire, Madelene Sagstrom and Caroline Hedwall.

Strap yourself in for a thrilling weekend at ATS — New York, where anything can happen!

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A tale of two sisters as Nelly Korda upstages Jessica at Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande in Spain

Matt Smith — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 20:19:45 +0000

By Matt Smith
Ahead of the second installment of the Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande tournament, a lot of the talk was about two American siblings who were coming to Spain for the first time to compete in the Ladies European Tour event.

Little would Jessica and Nelly Korda quite know the stamp they would leave on the competition and the series over the space of three roller-coaster days.

Little sister Nelly — the world No. 3 — looked out of the running after a costly triple-bogey late on Thursday tumbled her down the table as elder sibling Jessica set about opening up a six-stroke advantage by the end of play on Saturday — bagging the team title at La Reserva along the way.

But Nelly doesn’t do things like your everyday golfer and she certainly wan’t going to be upstaged on her Spanish debut. She overturned a seven-shot deficit and clinched victory in a thrilling renewal of the $1million Aramco Team Series event on an extraordinary final day at La Reserva Club.

The World No.3 reined in her sister Jessica – the runaway 36-hole leader – and held strong at the summit to win by three strokes on 13-under-par. Her elder sister, Anna Pelaez and Pauline Roussin shared second spot.

Jessica looked to be in a near-impregnable position at the start of the day, holding a six-shot advantage from Roussin. But she allowed the chasing pack back into the tournament by frittering away shots through the front nine.

Roussin was first to take advantage of Jessica’s problems and grabbed the lead by holing a 15-foot putt on the 10th green.

But the young French star four-putted for a triple bogey at the next where Jessica temporarily stopped the bleeding with a much-needed birdie. It was only a temporary respite for the American, who dropped shots at the 13th and 14th.

And while all this drama had been unfolding, Nelly had been making serene progress, almost unnoticed. She was 10 strokes adrift at one stage but three straight birdies from the seventh hole saw her edge into contention.

The reigning Olympic champion repeated the trick from the 12th and all of a sudden she moved to 13-under to grab the lead on her own.

Her position of supremacy never came under serious threat in the closing stages and she finished up shooting 67 — 10 less than Jessica — to secure her second Ladies European Tour title three years after landing the French Open.

Nelly, 24, said: “I’m super excited to win, I haven’t won this year, so it feels nice to get a win under my belt but I’m also very sad as it wasn’t the day Jess was expecting.

“I guess we were hoping for a bit more of a battle going down the stretch, but it’s golf and that sometimes happens. I was over par for the majority of the front nine, but I went on a little nice run. Had two turkeys on the scorecard, which was nice.

“I just stuck to it and told myself that there’s a lot of opportunities out there and hopefully I can capitalise on them.”

Some of the biggest cheers of the day were for crowd favourite Pelaez, playing 90 minutes from her home in Malaga. The rising star of Spanish women’s golf battled all the way to end to shoot 69, including a great up-and-down for par at the last, which earned her a runners-up spot finish alongside Jessica Korda and Roussin.

Pelaez said: “I’m very pleased with my game and especially the fight. Today, I think I played great. Minus-3, I think it’s a good score. I was emotionally very stable and finishing with that par on the last hole, I think it helped. Overall, I’m very happy with the week.”

The next Aramco Teams Series will be staged in New York from October 13-15. The final event of the series will take place at Royal Greens Golf Club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from November 10-12.

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WATCH: Highlights from Day 2 of the LET Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande

Matt Smith — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 11:39:50 +0000

By Matt Smith
Jessica Korda landed the team title and carved out a sizeable lead in the individual event on Day 2 of the Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande on the LAdies European Tour at La Reserva Club in Spain.

Watch the highlights below:

[parone_video_player campaign=”411″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

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Ladies European Tour: Jessica Korda out to make history at Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande

Matt Smith — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 11:14:56 +0000

By Matt Smth
Jessica Korda is on something of a roll in Spain as she maintained her push for a historic Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande double thanks to a second-round 68 at La Reserva Club de Sotogrande.

She already has secured one of the two titles on offer, having led her quartet to victory in the team event.

And on Saturday the US star will go in search of individual glory after following up her stunning opening-day 61 with another excellent effort that leaves her at 15-under-par, six clear at the top from Pauline Roussin.

Korda, 29, started day two at the 10th hole and traded a birdie brace for a pair of bogeys as she went out in level-par for the day.

But she regained something of that first-day magic on her back nine, recording four birdies — including three on the spin from the fourth.

It left her in near-complete control of the tournament with just 18 holes left and she was understandably very happy with her position after two days.

“It’s awesome,” said Korda. “I had a really good round yesterday and was able to play well today. What happened yesterday wasn’t even on my mind. Just the way that the golf course was playing, it was not the same at all.

“The wind was up, we played earlier, the turnaround was really short, just a completely different day. It was tough out there to play. I made the turn at even par, which I wasn’t too pleased about but I settled in nicely on the back and made some putts.”

After an early start to her day Korda admitted she was off to catch up on some sleep rather than keep tabs on her afternoon pursuers. When asked if she’d look be looking at the leaderboard, she offered a prompt response — “for my tee-time.”

Korda will be joined in the last group out by Roussin — and also her sister Nelly. The younger Korda made a couple of late gains to get to eight-under, one back from Roussin who signed off with an eight-foot birdie putt at the last.

More: Chiara Noja named Golf Saudi ambassador
WATCH: Highlights from Day 1 of Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande
Jessica Korda smashes course record at ATS — Sotogrande
Chiara Noja set for Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande

Roussin — after her 68 — said: “It was a good round and I’m happy I finished with a birdie to finish on a good note, especially putting-wise. It’s golf – anything can happen. I’m just going to keep doing my thing.”

Fourth-placed Palaez heads up the Spanish challenge on seven-under-par after tagging a second-round 69 to her first-day 68. And she certainly has not given up on rising to the summit.

The Malaga golfer said: “I still have 18 holes. Nothing is impossible. Maybe I have my 12-under round, I don’t know…”

Jessica Korda’s quartet won the team event with a 33-under-par total, one better than runners-up led by Roussin.

Korda also captained the winning side in the Aramco Team Series New York last October. In Spain she was partnered by Tereza Melecka, Noora Komulainen and amateur Malcolm Borwick, who is an English international polo star.

Korda said: “I think we just really had a good vibe out there. We tried to keep it as light as possible. Everyone played and contributed. When somebody was out, another person had their back – the beauty of team golf. Malcolm played great. I think he shot the lowest round he’s ever shot today, which is phenomenal. He was just a joy to be around and brought such a positive outlook on everything.”

Borwick, who received four strokes said: “I’ve had an incredible couple of days. I’m going to go back to playing polo. The nerves you get playing tournament golf is aging me as the days go by. But it’s been incredible. Playing with the girls, frankly the level of professionalism and the purity with which they hit the ball consistently is amazing.”

On Satiurday, Korda will aim to create a little piece of history by winning both of the titles on offer at Aramco Team Series event.

There is a new format this year for the Aramco Team Series, which launched in 2021. For this season, the teams will compete over only 36 holes – the Thursday and Friday of the tournament – with $500,000 prize-money being split between the lowest scoring fourballs.

Saturday’s final day of play see only the lowest scoring 60 players and ties from the opening two days return to the course to battle it out for a share of another $500,000, this time in individual earnings.

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