Scheffler "Looking Forward to Playing with Three Dallas Natives"

Grouped with Spieth and Kim Siwoo at The CJ Cup
Special connection to course where he debuted on PGA Tour as a high school senior
"This year, I think it will be really fun"

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (USA) expressed his excitement about participating in a tournament sponsored by the Korean company CJ Group.

At the official press conference for the PGA Tour's The CJ Cup Byron Nelson (total prize money of $9.9 million), held on April 30 (local time) at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71, 7,569 yards) near Dallas, Texas, Scheffler said with a smile, "I'm really enjoying myself. I have a lot of good memories at this tournament. They have always treated me well." He first played at this golf course when he was a high school senior. "It was my first PGA Tour event. I have many fond memories of this tournament," he said. "It's great to be back. I'm really looking forward to it."

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler listens to reporters' questions at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson press conference. CJ Group

Scheffler will play alongside former World No.1 Jordan Spieth (USA) and Kim Siwoo, the winner of the so-called "fifth major," The Players Championship, during the first and second rounds. "A few years ago, I played here with Jordan. It was a lot of fun. The fans' support was incredible. (Kim) Siwoo and I went to the same club in our hometown. This week, three players from Dallas will be grouped together. I think it will be really fun."

He welcomed the changes to the course. The fairways have been narrowed, and the grass has been changed from Zoysia to Rye. Scheffler commented, "There was a perception that this course was too easy over the past two years. There wasn't much rough, and the fairways were too wide." He added, "They have created overseeded rough and narrowed some of the fairways. I think that's a good thing. The course now favors players who can hit the fairway accurately."

Having grown up in the Dallas area, Scheffler has close relationships with Korean players. He said, "K.J. Choi has done so much for Korean golf. Thanks to his contributions, there are now many Korean players on tour, and many of them are doing very well." He added, "I'm good friends with Kim Joo-hyung, and I'm also very close with (Kim) Siwoo."

He also expressed his gratitude toward the Korean company. "It's really great that CJ came here to sponsor a PGA Tour event. This tournament is Byron Nelson's event, and since it's held in my hometown, it means a lot to me. I think it's really special that CJ wants to come here and support a tournament in the Dallas area. It's great to see so many Korean players competing on tour, and I hope golf will continue to grow globally and become even more competitive."