Jessica Korda is finally making a comeback. After spending almost two and a half years away from the golf course, initially to recover from a back injury, then being a mommy, elder Korda sister will tee off at the Grant Thornton Invitational this coming December. In this big moment, nervousness is bound to take over. Helping her navigate her emotions is her event partner, Bud Cauley, who has been through a similar patch.

Korda, while talking to SiriusXM PGA Tour, shared how one of her many soundboards is Bud. Joking about this pro comeback more being a “visitation right,” she said, “Bud was out for close to the same amount of time as I have been. He’s been an unbelievable sounding board for me.”

Bud Cauley knows how it feels to stay away from professional golf for a very long time. In 2018, a horrific car accident during the Memorial Tournament left him with six broken ribs, a collapsed right lung, and a fractured leg. To recover, he was away for more than three years. After multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, he finally made a return last year in February. By this year, he has already climbed back into the top 70 on the OWGR.

“I’ll be leaning a lot on Bud. I was like, ‘You got this, right? Coming into this event?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah. Once a month,’ I was like, ‘Okay, great, thanks,'” Jessica continued laughing.

This trust emanates from the bond that the two have shared not only on the course but beyond the golf circle. Korda and Cauley have known each other for years, with the latter even being present at Korda’s wedding in 2021 to Johnny DelPrete. Now, this connection might prove to be an added advantage for the duo as they make their presence known in the coming days.

Before stepping away, Korda had six career victories along with three Solheim Cup appearances. She last played competitively in May 2023 before stepping away due to a recurring back injury. A few weeks later, she found out she’s pregnant. When her son Grayson arrived in 2024, her world quickly shifted from clubs and swings to feeding schedules.

“I have a sitter who watches Grayson for five-ish hours. In those three, four times a week, I actually have to get my workout in and golf in…It’s a little hectic…I constantly check the cameras because I miss my son. It’s this push and pull that every single parent speaks about. It’s a lot of balancing,” shared Korda. Here, too, Cauley and she struck a similar chord.

For Cauley, his becoming a father also changed his life and the perspective he has on the world. Following his third-round performance at The Players Championship in March, he had said, “Well, I thought the car accident was life-altering, and then we had a couple of kids, and that was really life-altering.”

On a good note, both Korda and Cauley will have their families by their sides that week. Korda’s husband, Johnny DelPrete, will be there with their young Grayson. Cauley’s wife, Kristi, will also attend with their young boys, Cooper and Miles.

“It’s going to be a full-on family affair for all of us.”

She’s right. It will truly be a family affair, with her sister, Nelly Korda, also competing in the event.

Nelly Korda returns after a break

While Jessica Korda is making headlines for her comeback, her sister Nelly Korda is also confirmed to compete in the upcoming Grant Thornton Invitational. The #2 will pair up with Denny McCarthy. McCarthy is making a second appearance after finishing T4 alongside Megan Khang in 2023. For Nelly, this will be her third consecutive start here. Her best finish (T4) here came two years ago in 2023, paired with Tony Finau. Finau, this year, is teaming up with Lilia Vu.

For Nelly, this event will be a good opportunity to regain her momentum. She’s had a dominant 2024 season, with seven LPGA titles and a second major added to her resume. But a win this year has been distant from her. She lost her spot to Jeeno Thitikul and struggled to remain physically fit on the course. It was only a few weeks ago when she abruptly withdrew from the International Crown.

Still, Nelly will remain one of the biggest draws in the field (that is, if she has no injury or back pain forcing her to sit at home). Other notable players include Lydia Ko and Jason Day, as well as defending champions Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp.

The event is set for December 12–14, 2025, at Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida.