CJ Cup to return to Las Vegas in October
The CJ Cup is coming back to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year, giving the city back-to-back PGA Tour events in early October.
The tournament, usually played in South Korea, moved to Las Vegas in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It was held at Shadow Creek last year, but the 2021 version is headed to The Summit Club.
The CJ Cup will be held October 11-17, one week after the Shriner’s Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin.
Stewart Moore, senior director of championship management for the PGA Tour, said the ongoing pandemic was the reason the tournament has relocated from Asia for a second consecutive year.
“Las Vegas was on a short list when we began looking at U.S. cities to host the event if it was moved,” Moore said, citing the success of the 2020 event at Shadow Creek. “It’s a destination our players, partners and fans love.”
By playing consecutive weeks in Las Vegas, many of the issues of staging a PGA Tour event are minimized. It also increases the possibility that some players might choose to add both events to their schedules to reduce their own travel.
“(This is) great for both events, the city and our players,” Moore said. “Las Vegas will be the epicenter of professional golf for two weeks.”
Officials did not say whether Shadow Creek was considered for a return engagement, but the course already hosted the LPGA Match Play in June and is committed to its return in 2022.
PGA Tour officials were happy to land The Summit Club as the venue.
“The Summit Club is an amazing facility and a course we think our players will love, and will look great on TV with Red Rock Canyon as a backdrop on so many holes,” Moore said. “The facilities are all top notch, allowing us to get this event off the ground quickly with a short runway.”
Jason Kokrak won last year’s CJ Cup, holding off Olympic golf medalist Xander Schauffele by two shots.
Greg Robertson is a freelance reporter who covers golf for the Review-Journal. He can be reached at robertsongt@gmail.com.
