The CJ Cup is usually at Nine Bridges in Jeju Island, but has been moved to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. This is the most loaded a PGA event has been since the US Open and the total purse for this tournament is $9.75 million.
This is a smaller tournament and is a no-cut event.
Twenty of the top 25 golfers have entered into the CJ Cup. Jon Rahm comes into the tournament as the favorite, with his odds to win at Shadow Creek being 8-1.
Not far behind Rahm is Justin Thomas, who won this event last year. Even though Rahm is number one, many people consider Thomas as the man to beat as his odds to win are at 10-1.
This will be the first time on the course since the U.S. Open for Rory McIlroy. He had an impressive outing at Winged Foot last time out, earning a T10 with an eighth place finish. McIlroy’s game has been mired in inconsistency since the PGA restart however.
McIlory has finished outside of the top-30 in six of his last ten starts. It all depends on what version of McIlory shows up on whether his 12-1 odds have value or are a reach.
Brooks Koepka enters this tournament at 25-1, not bad considering he won the CJ Cup back in 2018. koepka hasn’t been his usual dominant self for the most part in 2020 however.
Koepka has been a bit like McIlory, in not knowing what he will bring to the table any given tournament. If Koepka is on, he is one of the toughest golfers in the field.
Xander Schauffele has found some success in his career playing in no-cut events. Three of his four wins on Tour have come from events like this.
Matthew Wolff is playing some great golf, and will be another one to watch at Shadow Creek as he has finished runner-up in his last two starts. Wolff’s swing might not be the prettiest, but he has been in contention on a regular basis in this young season.
Positive COVID-19 Tests
The top ranked golfer in the world, Dustin Johnson, tested positive for COVID-19. He was supposed to play in the CJ Cup, but will have to sit out.
“I was really looking forward to competing this week but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible. I have already had a few calls with the tour’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me,” said Johnson.
Johnson has been a consistent threat on the PGA Tour, especially as of late. He is coming off of a FedExCup win and is the hottest golfer in the game.
J.T. Poston will replace Johnson for the tournament in Las Vegas.
Tony Finau will also be missing the CJ Cup because of a positive COVID-19 test. His test came before the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last weekend, causing a withdraw from that tournament. Finau has not yet passed protocols, and will be forced to miss the CJ Cup as well.
These two big names will be missed, but this is still going to be the best weekend of the PGA Tour since the US Open.