With a total prize purse of $10.3 million, the tournament will feature 144 players. The winner will receive 500 FedEx Cup points, a two-year tour exemption, and eligibility to participate in signature events for that year. Additionally, they will earn entry into the next season's Players Championship and major tournaments.
The trophy, a symbol of the CJ Cup, is inspired by the Jikji, the world's oldest extant metal type book, and is crafted in Hangul. The names of past winners, including Tiger Woods, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, and Ernie Els, are engraved in Hangul.
The main focus of this year's tournament is whether defending champion and current world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler can defend his title. With 20 career PGA Tour victories, Scheffler recently won the American Express and has made the cut in all ten tournaments this season, finishing in the top five six times. He has expressed admiration for Byron Nelson, the legendary golfer from Dallas, where he grew up and made his PGA Tour debut at this event.
Expectations are high for TEAM CJ players. Si Woo Kim, who has made the cut in every tournament this season and has recorded one runner-up finish and two third-place finishes, leads the charge. He recently tied for fourth at the Cadillac Championship and achieved the best result among Korean players at last year's CJ Cup, finishing tied for 15th. "I am satisfied with my overall performance and condition this season. Since this is the host tournament, I feel a greater sense of responsibility and motivation," he said, vowing to maintain his strong momentum.
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion who won THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES in 2018, will also compete. Pearson Cudi, the first foreign player sponsored by CJ Group this year, is another player to watch. A former world No. 1 amateur, Cudi finished tied for second at the Farmers Insurance Open this season. Hailing from Texas, he will have the support of local fans. Additionally, Baek Yong-jun, who is active on the Korean PGA Tour, has also earned a spot in the tournament to compete against top players worldwide.
The CJ Cup continues to serve as a global sports culture platform promoting K-food and K-culture. Last year, it received the 'Best Title Sponsor Award' from the PGA Tour for effectively reflecting the sponsor's brand identity and philosophy.
CJ Group will expand the 'House of CJ' at the gallery plaza to approximately 750 square meters, a 20% increase from last year. This year, it will feature various interactive content under the themes of 'taste, style, and fun,' including augmented reality interactions and digital challenges. Attendees can enjoy a range of experiences, including a showcase of Bibigo products, K-beauty experiences from CJ Olive Young, CJ ENM music content, ScreenX screenings, K-cocktail tastings, and samples from Tous Les Jours bakery, along with merchandise giveaways and photo opportunities. CJ Foodville plans to introduce the 'Durumi' brand at this tournament to gauge reactions to K-street food, following a successful birthday party event for Tous Les Jours last year. This initiative is expected to serve as a promotional hub for K-lifestyle, similar to the Korea House operated in Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The tournament will also continue its CSR initiatives aimed at nurturing young golf talent and contributing to the community. The 'Bridge Kids' program, now in its ninth year, involves 16 junior golfers selected from the Northern Texas PGA and Dallas area junior golf academies. They will participate in mentoring programs, including one-on-one lessons from PGA Tour players and experience Bibigo lunch boxes. Notable mentors have included K.J. Choi, Im Sung-jae, Si Woo Kim, and Tommy Fleetwood. Additionally, a new community outreach program, the 'NTPGA Scholarship,' will provide $10,000 scholarships to five high school graduates in Texas this year.
At the 17th hole, a 'Birdie Campaign' will reward $1,000 for each birdie made. Funds raised through this initiative will be donated to the Momentous Institute, which supports mental health for children and families in the Dallas area. Last year, 104 birdies were recorded, generating approximately $104,000 in donations, continuing the charitable philosophy of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, which has hosted the tournament since 1968.
A CJ Group representative stated, “CJ Group is continuously expanding the positive changes that sports can create through the CJ Cup, based on our ‘Dream Maker’ philosophy. We plan to further our efforts in community engagement and nurturing future talent to develop a sustainable global sports platform.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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