‘THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson’ (THE CJ CUP), hereafter referred to as ‘THE CJ CUP,’ will be held for four days starting from the 1st at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, local time.This tournament is a PGA Tour regular season event, featuring a full-field format with a total of 156 players participating. The winner will receive a prize purse along with 500 FedEx Cup points, a two-year tour seed, and qualification for signature tournaments of the year.Like last year, THE CJ CUP will actively promote Korean cuisine through Players Dining and Bibigo concessions. In particular, CJ Group will operate ‘HOUSE OF CJ’ for the first time this year, allowing visitors to experience Korean culture directly and witness its excellence.Last year, CJ Group participated as the title sponsor of ‘Korea House’ at the Paris Olympics, supporting the national team while also serving as a ‘national promotional hall’ to introduce the culture and cuisine of South Korea to visitors from around the world. This year, ‘HOUSE OF CJ’ is expected to play an important role in promoting K-culture to the world from the grounds of THE CJ CUP.

‘THE CJ CUP has played the role of a ‘Korean cuisine promoter.’ Now it also promotes Korean culture!

CJ Group operates ‘Bibigo Concessions,’ providing golf fans from around the world with the opportunity to taste a variety of Korean dishes, including Bibigo’s representative product, dumplings. Additionally, all hospitality services will showcase Bibigo food, allowing every fan visiting the tournament grounds to experience Korean cuisine. A ‘Players Dining’ service will also be provided, and a positive response is expected again this year. Last year’s champion, Taylor Pendrith, praised, “The Players Dining was absolutely perfect. Maybe the best of the year. It felt like home-cooked food and was really delicious.” Scottie Scheffler also remarked before the 2022 tournament, “The food I had at THE CJ CUP was the most memorable. The Korean cuisine provided to the players, including dumplings, was the best.”This year, CJ’s other brand, TLJ (Tous Les Jours), will operate concessions, introducing K-bakery and café culture to golf fans at the tournament. Additionally, Players Dining will offer breakfast pastries and desserts, while the driving range will provide coffee and smoothies to deliver a special gourmet experience for the players.In particular, at this tournament, CJ Group will establish ‘HOUSE OF CJ’ to promote not only Korean cuisine but also K-culture. ‘HOUSE OF CJ’ is a space where visitors can experience various brands of CJ Group and Korean lifestyle culture, offering a special experience to those attending the tournament.‘HOUSE OF CJ,’ located in the Gallery Plaza, covers an area of about 625 m² (about 190 pyeong) and boasts a grand design. Through its sophisticated exterior design, visitors can enjoy an atmosphere as if they were invited to a global festival.Activities available here include a Bibigo mini concession, a powder room by Olive Young, music content from CJ ENM, ScreenX content screenings, tasting of TLJ bakery products, and the opportunity to experience cocktails made with traditional Korean alcohol that pairs well with Korean food.A representative of CJ Group stated, “THE CJ CUP is not only a golf tournament but also an important stage for promoting K-food and K-culture to the world,” and added, “Last year, 160,000 spectators visited, and this year, we expect even more spectators at the tournament. We hope that the inaugural ‘HOUSE OF CJ’ will provide an opportunity to enjoy not only golf matches but also Korean cultural content.”

BridgeKids and donation activities, creating social value at THE CJ CUP!

CJ Group has been providing young golf enthusiasts with the opportunity to directly experience PGA Tour events through the ‘BridgeKids’ program since 2017, practicing its philosophy of nurturing dreams. Now in its 8th year, BridgeKids allows PGA Tour players to act as mentors, providing one-point lessons, engaging in mini-games, and sharing ‘Bibigo’ lunch boxes, creating meaningful moments with the young talents. Last year, An Byung-hun and Ryan Palmer participated, receiving great enthusiasm.

This year, not only young golf enthusiasts but also those from the ‘Momentous Institute’ established by the Dallas Salesmanship Club will participate. They are expected to contribute to a more balanced growth program by explaining mental health campaigns in daily life in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

THE CJ CUP is also leading donation activities for the local community. During the tournament, $1,000 will be accrued each time a player records a birdie on the 17th hole, and this amount will be donated to the ‘Momentous Institute.’ This was conducted in the same manner last year, totaling $76,000 (approximately 12.2 million won) in contributions, leading to meaningful social contribution activities. THE CJ CUP plans to continue practicing sharing through sports and establishing itself as a tournament that grows together with the local community.

Scottie Scheffler aims for victory! A noble competition among 156 players for the Korean trophy!

The trophy for THE CJ CUP was inspired by ‘Jikji Simche Yojeol,’ the world’s oldest metal movable type book, and commemorates the beauty of the Korean script. The names of past winners, including the defending champion, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Ernie Els, are engraved in Hangul.

Last year’s champion, Taylor Pendrith, commented in an interview shortly after his victory, “It is incredibly special that my name is engraved in Hangul on the winner’s trophy.”

This year, THE CJ CUP will feature the current world No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, who aims for the Korean trophy. Scheffler, who canceled his participation in THE CJ CUP last year due to the birth of his child, confirmed his participation this year unusually quickly, showing high interest and affection for the tournament. In fact, Scheffler spent his junior career in Dallas and made his PGA Tour debut at this tournament. He has often expressed admiration for the golf legend Byron Nelson, who is also from Dallas.

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