PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas – Jessica Korda was encouraged that she made a strong start Thursday at the LPGA’s season opening Pure Silk Bahamas Classic with major swing changes she’s making under a new coach.
Korda opened with a 4-under-par 69, leaving her one shot off the lead. She did so despite topping one tee shot and hitting another shot into a hazard on her first nine. She shot 37-32.
Korda, 20, who has trained under Magnus Carlsson since she was a child, is now working with Grant Price at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. They began working just two weeks ago.
“I was injured a lot last year, and one of the reasons was the way I was swinging,” Korda said. “We’re working on everything, from the grip to setup, basically just stripping down my whole swing and improving it, keeping it simple and on plane.”
Korda’s injuries included a nagging wrist ailment. She’s looking for her second LPGA title. She won the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open in 2012.