GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN | With most of the attention focused on her younger sister Nelly, 29-year-old Jessica Korda tied for fifth place alongside Lexi Thompson, Carlota Ciganda, and Atthaya Thitikul at the LPGA Meijer Classic for Simply Give.
"Shot 5-under, so that was good. Definitely left some out there, which kind of stinks, but when you're in a chasing position, you're looking at the pin all day long. So, I'm pretty pleased with it. Obviously putting one foot in front of the other after an injury, so it's good," the elder Korda sister said.
Currently No. 15 in the Rolex Rankings, Jessica, got a little lost throughout the weekend, especially with Nelly, in just her second week back on Tour after a four-month layoff, making it into a playoff with Leona Maguire and winner Jennifer Kupcho. But Jessica is putting better than she has in quite some time–averaging 29 putts per round at Blythefield Country club.
"Being a longer player out here, I think it gets really narrow for us, so those are kind of the challenges we face a little bit,” Jess said. “Thinking about the golf course a bit more than somebody that might be slightly shorter and can kind of pound it with no issues. For me, I was still a little surprised about the scores being so low.”
Korda said she was also frustrated Saturday because she felt like the holes were more gettable with less wind.
"It was very inconsistent wind, so that made it really tough. I feel like they slowed the greens down. I couldn't get the ball to the hole the first couple of holes, which is weird because my speed has been really, really good," she said.
Korda has been trying to find her way after a rib injury that forced her to withdraw from the LPGA Drive On Championship at the start of the year.
"Obviously, I don't think I'm anywhere near position, but at the same time, I'm trying to put some rounds under my belt after being injured and out for so long. One foot in front of the other," she said.
Jessica said she is still looking for more consistency post-injury to attain another top-5 result.
"Giving myself opportunities even though I may have come up short a couple of times today. Still pretty easygoing, and still all there, so that's good," she said.
At the end of the day, despite any result, Korda said she tries to be her authentic self.
“I have nothing to hide. If I'm mad, I'm mad. If I'm happy, I'm happy,” she said. “This is something that we get to do, and it's such a privilege to be out here and playing in front of fans and people that you've seen and made friendships and memories. That's the whole point of this; we're inspiring but also obviously competing, and we should be able to be ourselves."
The six-time LPGA Tour winner ended her round right before she got to watch Nelly tee off in the playoff.
“Always love supporting her," Jess said.
)
)
)
)
