The CJ Cup 'Transformation'... Next May, 'The CJ Cup Byron Nelson'

79-Year History Byron Nelson Title Changes Sponsor
10 Years Until 2033, Total Prize Money $9.5 Million
4 Wins by Korean Players, Expectations to Target US Market

The PGA Tour's THE CJ CUP is undergoing a transformation.

Starting next year, it will be held in May under the new name "THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson." CJ Group announced on the 5th, "We are becoming the title sponsor of the Byron Nelson tournament, which began in 1944 and has a 79-year history on the PGA Tour." The contract period is for 10 years until 2033. Next year's tournament will take place over four days from May 2 at TPC Craig Ranch (par 72) in McKinney, near Dallas, Texas, USA. The total prize money is $9.5 million (approximately 12.6 billion KRW), with the winner receiving 500 FedEx Cup points, a two-year tour exemption, and eligibility to participate in the signature tournament of the year.

Rory McIlroy is smiling brightly while holding the trophy after winning The CJ Cup last October.

THE CJ CUP, which started in 2017, was held in Jeju Island for three years. It was the only PGA Tour event held in Korea, but due to COVID-19, it was held in the United States from 2020 through last year. World-class players such as Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka (both USA) have won, making the event a success.

THE CJ CUP was held in the fall series after the Tour Championship, the final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs (PO), but with changes in the PGA Tour’s season operation policy, adjustments have been made. Starting next year, the PGA Tour will hold the regular season and playoffs from January to August, and from September to December, a fall season will be held for players aiming to secure their tour cards.

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Logo

Until now, THE CJ CUP has been held solely by CJ six times, but going forward, it will be co-hosted with the Dallas community organization Salesmanship Club of Dallas, which holds the tournament rights. Byron Nelson, partnered with CJ, is the first PGA Tour event named after a player. Nelson is a legendary figure who set unbeatable records on the PGA Tour, including 11 consecutive wins and 18 wins in a single season. He is from Texas and is one of the most beloved sportsmen in Texas.

Dallas, a fiercely competitive venue, has a strong golf following. Jordan Spieth (USA) is the star player. Last year, the tournament attracted 200,000 spectators. Additionally, Korean players have won four times: Bae Sang-moon in 2013, Kang Sung-hoon in 2019, and Lee Kyoung-hoon in 2021 and 2022. CJ stated, "During the past three years of holding the tournament in the U.S., our sales and corporate image have significantly improved, and this decision was made to strengthen local marketing activities in the U.S." They added, "We will strive to establish this as a representative tournament on the tour."