Golfplan-Designed Course to Host PGA Tour in Korea

The US PGA Tour has confirmed that South Korea’s stop on their new three-event Asian swing will be held on the resort island of Jeju.

The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges will be staged from October 19-22 and will carry one of the biggest prize funds on the US PGA Tour at US$9.25 million and have a select field of 78 players.

Opened in August 2001, Nine Bridges was designed by Golfplan, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

Speaking at a signing ceremony in Jeju, Jeff Monday, Senior Vice President Asia Tournaments for the PGA Tour, said: “I am very pleased that the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges will host the inaugural event on Jeju at a course that will give a demanding test for some of the world’s best golfers.

“In addition to a great tradition of professional golf at Jeju, the area will provide players, their families, tournament fans, sponsors and our staff with beautiful scenery as well as an abundance of activities to enjoy outside the ropes.

“The opportunity to play Korea’s first official PGA Tour and FedEx Cup event on Jeju, combined with the natural beauty of the island, makes for a special event.”

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, said: “While hosting world-class golf events such as 2002 World Cup and 2003 LPGA Golf Tournament, Jeju has been in the spotlight all around the world even in difficult circumstances.

“It is essential to hold international events that can impact local economy and promote Jeju Island. We have built a task force to develop public relations strategy and constant efforts will be made to focus on promoting Jeju Island all around the world.”

Nine Bridges has previously hosted numerous international tournaments, including the CJ Nine Bridges Classic, Korea’s first LPGA tournament. Also, it is the only golf course in Korea to be named among the world’s top 100 golf clubs.

Following the successful hosting of the 2015 Presidents Cup in the Korean capital of Seoul, the Tour signed a deal last October to stage an event in the country for the next 10 years.

It will be the US PGA’s first Tour event to be held in Korea and the second event on the PGA Tour’s expanded Asian swing to start its 2017-18 season.

It will follow the CIMB Classic in Malaysia, which will be played from October 12-15. The host venue is TPC Kuala Lumpur, a Golf Course Facility Member of the AGIF.

After the CJ Cup on the southern island’s Nine Bridges layout, the players will make the short flight to Shanghai, China, for the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions from October 26-29.