INCHEON, South Korea – Jessica Korda is savoring her chance to play for the American team in the UL International Crown this week after an injury cost her a chance to play last year’s Solheim Cup.
Korda, 25, played her way on to the American team scheduled to meet the Europeans in Iowa a year ago, but a day after the team was set she reluctantly withdrew because of a left forearm injury. She said missing out made Solheim Cup week one of the toughest of her life.
“I was sitting on my butt at home watching it,” Korda said. “It was really tough. I was really depressed. It’s tough when you’ve made a team, but you can’t play because you’re not healthy. I think it would be easier if you just didn’t make the team.”
UL International Crown: Articles, photos and videos
Korda started the year with uncertainty over how long it would take her to be healthy enough to qualify for the team. She underwent a painful and complex offseason surgery, with her jaw broken in five places in a realignment designed to alleviate headaches. She ended up winning in her first start back at the Honda Thailand.
“Making this team was a huge goal of mine,” Korda said.
That’s why Korda is determined another injury won’t slow her this week. She has been nursing sore wrists since playing on the hard surface at Royal Lytham & St. Annes at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in early August. She hurt her right wrist hitting a couple shots from divots on the slopes at the Evian Championship last month.
“It’s nothing that’s going to stop me right now,” Korda said. “It’s nothing tape can’t fix.”
