Featured Groups: THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES
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Written by Staff
The Asian Swing continues on to Korea this week for the second running of THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES.
Last season’s debut did not disappoint. Justin Thomas, fresh off his victory in the FedExCup, prevailed in an exciting playoff over Marc Leishman. Three of Thomas’ nine victories have come in Asia.
The Club at Nine Bridges proved to be a tough test. Thomas and Leishman tied at 9 under par as high winds buffeted the course in the final three rounds. The Club at Nine Bridges had the fourth-highest scoring average last season (73.19).
Leishman arrives in Korea fresh off last week’s win at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia. Thomas also is in fine form after a final-round 64 that gave him a fifth-place finish at TPC Kuala Lumpur.
THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES also will serve as the season debut for PGA TOUR Player of the Year Brooks Koepka.
Golf Channel will provide live coverage for all four rounds starting at 10 p.m. ET (10 a.m. local time) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
MORE: Tee times
Here’s a look at the Featured Groups for the first two rounds (FedExCup ranking in parentheses):
Marc Leishman (2) – Hot off his victory in last week’s CIMB Classic in Malaysia Leishman is looking to add another trophy to his case. Was runner up after a playoff a year ago.
Si Woo Kim (T20) – The former PLAYERS champion was unhappy with his T44 finish a year ago and is hoping to be the first Korean to win the PGA TOUR stop in his native country.
Ernie Els (T79) – The International Presidents Cup captain will run the rule over quite a few potential team members this week while also trying to add to his bevy of wins around the world.
Tee times: Rd. 1 (8:15 p.m. ET); Rd. 2 (7:05 p.m. ET)
Jason Day (NR) – Makes his season debut and likely only fall start as baby No. 3 is due soon. Finished T11 last year in the event and believes he now has the right plan to win.
Hideki Matsuyama (NR) – Last season was a slow one by his standards but finished with some great signs among five straight top-15s. Expecting a bounce back year.
Adam Scott (NR) – Looking to make a fall splash knowing he has some time off ahead of him. Won’t play in native Australia for first time in years so will leave nothing in the tank.
Tee times: Rd. 1 (8:25 p.m. ET); Rd. 2 (7:15 p.m. ET)
Brooks Koepka (NR) – The PGA TOUR Player of the Year from last season is ready to start his new push to do it all again. No stranger to traveling the world after his formative European Tour efforts years ago.
Justin Thomas (T14) – The defending champion has three wins in Asia, one in each of the last three seasons. After a T5 last week he is looking a good pick to make it four years in a row.
Sungjae Im (T11) – Grew up on the island and at this course. The 20-year-old Web.com Tour standout last season is about to explode and take it up a notch in the top level. Could easily be a shock winner here.
Tee times: Rd. 1 (7:15 p.m. ET); Rd. 2 (8:15 p.m. ET)
Michael Kim (92) – After watching his young contemporaries have hot starts to their careers, Kim starting his own impressive path with his win at the John Deere Classic last season.
Ian Poulter (NR) – One of the European conquerors who took down the Americans in Paris looks to ride the momentum into the new season.
Gary Woodland (T14) – Fired up after failing to make the most of his 54-hole co-lead last week in Malaysia.
Tee times: Rd. 1 (7:25 p.m. ET); Rd. 2 (8:25 p.m. ET)