Jessica Korda withdraws from U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach due to back injury

Jessica Korda hoped her balky back would be healthy enough to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach in two weeks. But it wasn’t meant to be. On Thursday, USGA officials confirmed what was first reported by Golfweek, that the 30-year-old had withdrawn from the championship, one of three exempt players who have bowed out.

Last month, Korda took to Twitter to say that that she was stepping away from the game indefinitely in hopes the rest and physical therapy could remedy her issues.

It's unclear what specifically is ailing Korda, who played in five events to start 2023 (best finish T-18 at the DIO Implant L.A. Open) before withdrawing during the first round of the Cognizant Founders Cup.

Last fall Korda also took time away because of the injury in hopes, playing her last event in September.

In addition to Korda, Japan’s Mone Inami and South Korea’s Hee Jeong Lim also have withdrawn from Pebble Beach. Five players have subsequently been added to the field, with recent LPGA winners already having qualified for the championship, freeing up spots: Azahara Munoz, Moriya Jutanugarn, Allysha Mae Mateo, Jenny Coleman and Kumkang Park.

The Women’s Open will be played July 6-9. Additionally qualifiers off the top 75 in the Rolex Ranking can earn spots on July 3.