What Is Cj Cup? A Clear Guide
The CJ Cup is an annual PGA Tour event sponsored by CJ Group, a South Korean conglomerate. The name “CJ” comes from Cheil Jedang (제일제당), meaning “First Sugar Manufacturing”—the company’s original name when it was founded in 1953. There is no separate golf-specific acronym; the tournament name simply uses the sponsor’s corporate initials. Today, the CJ Cup is one of the tour’s notable early-season tournaments, awarding FedEx Cup points and drawing a strong international field.
What Does CJ Stand For in Golf?
CJ Group started as Cheil Jedang, a sugar manufacturer, and later expanded into food, logistics, entertainment, and media. The company rebranded as CJ, and the tournament name reflects that. So CJ Cup means the tournament sponsored by CJ Group—nothing more than the company’s initials.
The misconception that CJ stands for “Consumer Journal” or “Championship Journey” is widespread but incorrect. If you search for “cj cup meaning,” the answer is simple: it’s a sponsor name, not a golf term or acronym.
History of the CJ Cup
From Jeju Island to Texas
The event began in 2017 as The CJ Cup in South Korea, hosted at Nine Bridges on Jeju Island. It was the first PGA Tour tournament ever held in South Korea and quickly gained a reputation for a world-class course and a strong field. The early editions featured a smaller field of 78 players, compared to standard PGA Tour events, and a purse of $9.25 million.
In 2021, travel restrictions forced the tournament to relocate to the United States. The Summit Club in Las Vegas hosted that year. The CJ Cup then moved to Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina in 2022. In 2023, the tournament merged with the long-running AT&T Byron Nelson, becoming the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, now held permanently at TPC Craig Ranch near Dallas.
Key location timeline:
- 2017–2020: Nine Bridges, Jeju Island, South Korea
- 2021: The Summit Club, Las Vegas, Nevada
- 2022: Congaree Golf Club, Ridgeland, South Carolina
- 2023 onward: TPC Craig Ranch, Texas (as CJ Cup Byron Nelson)
Why the Merger Happened
The Byron Nelson, dating back to 1944, had lost its title sponsor after AT&T ended its partnership. CJ Group stepped in, and the combined event kept the Byron Nelson name while adding the CJ Cup branding. This gave the South Korean sponsor a permanent U.S. home and preserved one of golf’s oldest tournaments. The merged event now carries both identities, so if you see “CJ Cup Byron Nelson,” it refers to the same tournament.
Format and Field
The CJ Cup (now CJ Cup Byron Nelson) is a standard 72-hole stroke-play tournament with a 36-hole cut. The field typically includes 132 players, though the early editions in South Korea had a smaller field of 78. Because it is one of the PGA Tour’s early spring events (usually early May), it attracts many top-50-ranked players who use it to earn early FedEx Cup points or tune up for the major season.
- Purse: Around $9–10 million in recent years, with the winner receiving 500 FedEx Cup points
- Cut: Top 65 players and ties after 36 holes make the weekend
- Playoff format: Sudden death if tied after 72 holes (as seen in 2020 when Jason Kokrak won in a playoff)
Notable Winners
The tournament has produced a mix of major champions and rising stars. Here are the winners since its inception:
| Year | Venue | Winner | Margin | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | TPC Craig Ranch (CJ Cup Byron Nelson) | Jason Day | 1 stroke | Day’s first win since 2018 |
| 2022 | Congaree Golf Club | Rory McIlroy | 1 stroke | McIlroy’s 22nd PGA Tour win |
| 2021 | The Summit Club | Rory McIlroy | 1 stroke | Back-to-back CJ Cup wins |
| 2020 | Nine Bridges | Jason Kokrak | Playoff | First PGA Tour win for Kokrak |
| 2019 | Nine Bridges | Justin Thomas | 2 strokes | Record 267 (−21) |
| 2018 | Nine Bridges | Brooks Koepka | 4 strokes | Dominant Sunday performance |
| 2017 | Nine Bridges | Justin Thomas | 2 strokes | Inaugural champion |
Justin Thomas is the only two-time winner (2017 and 2019), and Rory McIlroy won back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. The 2019 event saw Thomas set the 72-hole scoring record of 267 (−21), still the tournament benchmark.
Why the Tournament Matters
The CJ Cup serves as an early test of form for many elite players. Because it often takes place before the major season (the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open), players use it to sharpen their game on a demanding course. TPC Craig Ranch, the current home, is a par-72 layout measuring over 7,400 yards, with water hazards on multiple holes and undulating greens that reward precision iron play.
For international fans, the tournament also represents the PGA Tour’s continued expansion into Asian markets. The early editions in South Korea helped grow the sport in a region where golf is already popular. The merger with the Byron Nelson added historical weight—the Nelson is one of the tour’s oldest events, named after the legendary Byron Nelson who won 11 consecutive tournaments in 1945.
How to Keep Up with the CJ Cup
If you want to follow the tournament live, here are the ordered steps:
1. Check the official PGA Tour schedule – The CJ Cup Byron Nelson is usually held in early May. Confirm the exact dates on pgatour.com or the official tournament site.
2. Find TV and streaming info – In the US, Golf Channel and NBC broadcast the tournament (check local listings). The NBC Sports app or Peacock streams coverage live.
3. Follow the live leaderboard – The PGA Tour app or website provides real-time scoring, player stats, and highlights. Set a reminder for the Thursday start.
4. Monitor social media – The tournament’s official Twitter/X account posts updates, weather delays, and notable shots during play.
If you’re planning to attend, tickets are typically available through the tournament website starting in February. General admission prices vary but often range from $50–100 per day for adults.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
- Myth: CJ stands for “Consumer Journal” or “Championship Journey.” Reality: It’s simply the corporate initials of CJ Group. No golf-related acronym exists.
- Mistake: Thinking the CJ Cup is still in South Korea. Symptom: You may see posts or articles from 2019–2020 referencing Jeju Island. Cause: The event moved in 2021 and is now permanently in Texas. Safer next move: Search “CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2025 location” and verify on the PGA Tour site.
- Myth: The purse is $15 million or more. Reality: It has been in the $9–10 million range. If you see a higher number, it’s likely outdated or confused with a larger designated event like the Players Championship.
- Mistake: Treating the CJ Cup and CJ Cup Byron Nelson as separate events. Reality: They are the same tournament; the name changed in 2023 when the merger happened. Older references may drop the “Byron Nelson,” but the current official name includes it.
Verifying Tournament Details
Before you share information or make plans, confirm you have the right details:
- Check the official site – The CJ Cup Byron Nelson has its own page on the PGA Tour website with confirmed dates, course info, and ticket availability. Any other source should match that.
- Compare the venue and sponsor name – The tournament is now called the “CJ Cup Byron Nelson” and is held at TPC Craig Ranch. If a source says “CJ Cup at Nine Bridges” or just “CJ Cup” without “Byron Nelson,” it may be outdated.
- Look for the current-year logo – The PGA Tour updates the tournament logo each year. A logo that still says “The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges” is from 2020 or earlier.
Stop threshold: If you find conflicting dates, prize purse, or format (e.g., a site claiming a match-play format or a different cut line), do not act on it. Go directly to pgatour.com or the official CJ Cup Byron Nelson page. Only those sources should be treated as authoritative for scheduling, tickets, and broadcast times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CJ Cup still held in South Korea?
No, after 2020 the event moved to the United States and now has a permanent home in Texas as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Does CJ stand for anything in golf?
No, CJ is simply the corporate name of the sponsor, CJ Group. It is not an acronym or golf term.
How can I watch the CJ Cup?
The tournament is broadcast live on Golf Channel and NBC (depending on the schedule) and streamed on Peacock in the US.
Who holds the scoring record?
Justin Thomas set the 72-hole record of 267 (−21) in 2019 at Nine Bridges.
What is the prize money for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson?
The purse in recent years has been approximately $9–10 million, with the winner earning around $1.6–1.8 million and 500 FedEx Cup points. Check the official site for the exact current-year amount.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.