Jessica Korda is all set to return to the Grant Thornton Invitational. Not as a player, but as part of the broadcasting team. There was no dearth of excitement among fans and now there is something more. The elder Korda sister’s latest announcement has once again ‘pumped up’ fans.

Now, you can receive a signed tournament flag from the six-time LPGA Tour winner. Not just that she is also giving away a staff bag and a hat. All you have to do is like her post and the winner will be picked via a lucky draw. 

Korda posing with a Grant Thornton package in her hand and a golf bag beside her, wrote on Instagram, “Excited to be back for this year’s Grant Thornton Invitational December 13-15 to watch the best from the LPGA and PGA TOUR tee it up together. Ahead of the tournament, I’m giving away a staff bag, signed tournament flag and hat. Make sure to follow @grantthorntoninv and like this post for a chance to win.”

The 31-year-old had to pull out from the mixed-gender tournament – the only event jointly hosted by PGA Tour and LPGA Tour – last year, as she and her husband, Johnny DelPrete were expecting a baby boy. Greyson was born in February. Since then Jessica Korda has been on maternal leave. 

But even before that, Jessica Korda was sidelined by an injury. In May 2023, she announced that she would take an ‘indefinite break’ due to a nagging back injury that required serious medical attention. So, it’s little wonder that fans are excited to see her back on the greens. Despite not swinging a club.

Jessica Korda fans can’t wait to see her on the greens again

Interestingly there was some confusion as regards her ‘comeback’. “With whom will you play?” asked one fan. Whereas another wrote, “Pumped to watch you play!” However, she will only join in the booth like last year. In the last iteration, Jessica Korda interviewed Team Finally, comprising her sister Nelly Korda and Tony Finau. 

Expect to see her in a similar role this year too. Notably, she was part of the 2023 CME Group Tour Championship broadcasting team as well. But it’s unclear if she will reprise that role in the 2024 iteration as well. If she doesn’t, the Grant Thornton Invitational will be a rare opportunity to catch the Korda sisters bantering live. Referring to that, one fan wrote, “Very exciting news great to see the Korda women back on the course.” 

The excitement wasn’t hard to understand. In her prolonged absence, fans could only hear from Jessica Korda via a few podcast appearances, and a couple of times she joined the LPGA broadcast virtually to talk about her sister’s staggering run of form. “It’s been too long. Welcome Back,” one user wrote.

It should be noted that Jessica Korda is gearing up for a return to the competitive arena. Glimpses of her practice rounds came via Instagram updates. In fact, she is now taking help from her sister. “Haven’t hit balls since May 2023.. So an emergency FaceTime with @nellykorda to talk fundamentals and collision emoji] boom [collision emoji] mom’s still got it — minus the camera angle.. that needs improvement,” read one of her recent posts. 

When she appears on live TV, perhaps for a walk-and-talk interview with players, some fans will be tracking her progress too. “That’s great Jess looking forward to watching your progress!!” commented one of them. 

The LPGA Tour’s maternity policy allows players to keep their cards for two years after giving birth. Jessica Korda has a window of more than a year to make a full comeback to the professional arena. Till then, fans have to be satisfied with the off-course appearances.