Aug 06, 2019: American Phil Mickelson, a 44-time PGA TOUR winner and a World Golf Hall of Famer, will make his debut appearance in US$9.75 million THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES from October 17 to 20, 2019.
The 49-year-old Mickelson, regarded as a legend in the game following an illustrious career which includes a victory in the 2007 THE PLAYERS Championship and five major wins, will join defending champion and current FedExCup No. 1 Brooks Koepka in the PGA TOUR’s only official tournament in South Korea which features an elite 78-man field.
“I’m so excited to be coming back to Korea to compete in one of the premier events in all the world, THE CJ CUP. I first had the chance to play and compete in Korea four years ago in the Presidents Cup and so loved the passion the people of Korea have for this great game,” said Mickelson.
Earlier this season, he collected his latest PGA TOUR title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am following a resounding three-shot victory. He trailed third round leader Paul Casey by three shots going into the final day but a closing 7-under 65 saw him claim his fifth win at the tournament.
Mickelson, nicknamed “Phil the Thrill”, also finished T2 at the Desert Classic two weeks prior to his success at Pebble Beach, finishing one stroke behind winner Adam Long. He recorded a 12-under 60 at La Quinta Country Club in round one, becoming the first player in PGA TOUR history with three scores of 60 or better.
CJ Group said: “We are very happy to announce Phil’s participation in THE CJ CUP as he is a living legend. The field will become stronger as we get closer to October.”
Mickelson’s list of tournament wins on the PGA TOUR include victories at THE PLAYERS Championship, TOUR Championship, Masters Tournament, The Open Championship and PGA Championship.
Currently ranked 30th in the world and 34th on the FedExCup points list entering the FedExCup Playoffs this week, Mickelson is renowned for his swashbuckling brand of attacking golf and possesses one of the best short games on the TOUR.
Mickelson spent over 25 consecutive years in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking and over 700 weeks in the top-10. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012.
Last season, Koepka won THE CJ CUP, which celebrates its third edition this year, with a four-day aggregate of 21-under 267, enabling him to secure the World No. 1 position for the first time in his career.
THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES will provide Jeju Special Self-Governing Province an opportunity to promote the beauty of Jeju island to the world through the TOUR’s television broadcasts.
CJ Corporation signed a 10-year agreement with the PGA TOUR in 2016 to stage the lucrative tournament which the prize fund is amongst the highest on the PGA TOUR. SBS, the PGA TOUR’s partner in Korea for over 10 years, will be the host broadcaster of the event.
PGA Tour Release
