The CJ Cup was a landmark PGA Tour event inaugurated in October 2017, marking the Tour’s first venture into South Korea. Sponsored by CJ Group, it combined world-class competition with the unique landscape of Jeju Island, before adapting to global challenges and relocating across the United States. From Justin Thomas’s playoff triumph to Rory McIlroy’s record-setting −25, the CJ Cup left an indelible mark on international golf.
What Is the CJ Cup?
The CJ Cup was a professional stroke-play golf tournament on the PGA Tour, established in October 2017 and contested through 2022.
Origins & Sponsor
CJ Group Partnership
CJ Group, one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates, became title sponsor to expand its global brand via elite golf.
Jeju Island Debut
The first three editions (2017–2019) took place at the scenic Nine Bridges Golf Club on Jeju Island, offering a strategic gateway to Asian markets.
Pandemic & Relocation
Shadow Creek 2020
Travel restrictions prompted a one-off move to Shadow Creek Golf Course in North Las Vegas, featuring a \$9.5 million purse and top-ranked field.
Summit Club 2021
In 2021, plans to return to Korea were shelved; the tournament remained in Las Vegas at The Summit Club, retaining its October slot.
Congaree 2022
The 2022 edition shifted to Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina, near Hilton Head Island, ahead of the tournament’s title transfer.
Tournament Winners
- 2017: Justin Thomas (−9, playoff)
- 2018: Brooks Koepka (−21)
- 2019: Justin Thomas (−20)
- 2020: Jason Kokrak (−20)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (−25)
- 2022: Rory McIlroy (−17)
Future & Legacy
In May 2024, CJ Group signed a ten-year deal to sponsor the historic Byron Nelson tournament in Dallas, rebranding it as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and extending the CJ Cup legacy.
Conclusion The CJ Cup’s seven-year arc illustrates how innovation, adaptability, and strategic sponsorship can elevate professional golf on a global scale.