Six-time winner Jessica Korda sets sights on return to LPGA in 2026

Jessica Korda won’t be back competing on the LPGA until 2026, she shared in the booth on Friday during the Golf Channel broadcast of the Grant Thornton Invitational. Her son Greyson, who turns one on Feb. 3, is fully on the move and keeping her busy at home in Florida.

“I’m definitely itching to be able to play again, how much, I’m not so sure,” said Korda, a six-time winner on the LPGA. “I’ll take 2025 to assess and then per our maternity, 2026 is kind of what we’re shooting for.”

The LPGA updated its maternity policy in 2019 to give moms up to two years from the date of the baby's birth to return to playing. In May 2023, Korda announced that she was taking an indefinite break from the tour to heal a nagging back injury. Later that year, she announced her pregnancy.

Korda has done some work in TV broadcast during her time away from competition, even calling sister Nelly's ace at the CME Group Tour Championship last year.

The 31-year-old has not competed on the LPGA Tour since the 2023 Cognizant Founders Cup but attended several events with Greyson in 2024. Korda, who is a Grant Thornton ambassador, posted a video last month of her action on the range.

“Definitely sore,” said Korda of knocking off the rust. “It’s been a year and some months that I didn’t hit any golf balls at all. It’s tough, my shoulder hurt, my forearm, my wrist, my glute muscles, that I hadn’t guess activated in that way such a long time.

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

Golf Channel analyst Morgan Pressel noted that Korda’s swing “looked as smooth as ever.” As for Greyson, he already has a wooden club that he likes to hold and smack around. Korda looks forward to getting him on skis and skates when he gets older.

“For me, it’s my son’s milestones that get me excited right now,” said Korda. “It’s a grind, so I feel like the patience is always being tested just like it would be out on the golf course, being a mom. The one thing I don’t do as well is my recovery ... I love to sleep and that’s nonexistent.”

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Six-time winner Jessica Korda sets sights on return to LPGA in 2026