PGA First Look: THE CJ CUP
The PGA First Look is complete with a course preview, odds, salaries, Official World Golf Rankings, and course history.
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Event Preview
Marc Leishman ran away from the field at the CIMB Classic to ship the first event of the Asian swing. I don’t know about you, but I always like this part of the season. We get evening golf and unlike the European Tour events, they actually start at a reasonable time. We get to sweat PGA Tour lineups and watch some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The only downside is that we don’t have Shot Tracker for these events, so we don’t quite know how the golfers ended up with their scores.
This week’s event will be held at Nine Bridges, which is a prestigious golf club. If you haven’t seen pictures of the course or the club house, it’s highly worth a quick Google search. The place is immaculate and despite windy conditions last year, there was nothing but positive feedback from the golfers. The course is located on Mount Halla, which is the tallest mountain in Korea. Being so far up, the altitude will cause the golf ball to travel a bit farther than usual. Combine that with a short Par 72 that measures only 7,196 yards and we have ourselves a very scoreable course.
The main defense last season was the wind. In benign conditions in the opening round, Justin Thomas shot nine-under par and the scoring average was right around 70.5. The next three days were brutal in terms of scoring conditions and the winning score ended up being nine-under. The forecast for this week suggests better scoring conditions, so don’t be surprised to see the winning score somewhere in the mid-teens. There are only 78 golfers in the field, which means another no-cut format. All golfers are guaranteed to play four rounds, unless the dreaded withdrawal occurs.
The course features four reachable par fives that all measure less than 600 yards. It also features two drive-able par fours, which in my humble opinion, gives an edge to distance over accuracy this week. This is an American-style course with Bentgrass fairways and grees. The rough is Kentucky Bluegrass, so the American golfers shouldn’t feel out of their element. There are five water hazards on the course that will certainly come into play if you are wild off the tee. Overall, I’m looking for strong ball strikers that don’t bleed strokes around the green.
Before I forget, myself, Justin Van Zuiden (stlcardinals84), and Jason Rouslin (jrozzinri) recorded a new RotoAcademy PGA course where we discuss our weekly research process, lineup building strategies, and bankroll management tips.
Recent Winners of this Event:Justin Thomas (2017)
Key Statistics (In Order of Importance)
1) Strokes Gained Approach
2) Strokes Gained Off the Tee
3) Birdie or Better Percentage
4) Par 5 Scoring
5) Strokes Gained Short Game
Salaries, Odds, and Course History (2013-2017)
| Golfer | DK Salary | FD Salary | FDRFT Salary | OWGR | Odds | DK Odds | FD Odds | FDRFT Odds | Cuts | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Thomas | $11,600 | $13,100 | $19,000 | 4 | 5 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1/1 | 1 |
| Brooks Koepka | $11,200 | $12,300 | $18,200 | 3 | 9 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Jason Day | $10,600 | $11,900 | $17,300 | 12 | 12 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1/1 | 11 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | $10,400 | $11,600 | $17,200 | 22 | 13 | 0% | 20% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Marc Leishman | $10,200 | $11,700 | $17,100 | 16 | 14 | 0% | -25% | 0% | 1/1 | 2 |
| Paul Casey | $9,900 | $11,300 | $16,100 | 21 | 21 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1/1 | 19 |
| Billy Horschel | $9,700 | $10,300 | $15,800 | 34 | 25 | 0% | 50% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | $9,500 | $9,600 | $15,500 | 24 | 27 | 0% | 62% | 33% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Xander Schauffele | $9,400 | $10,900 | $15,700 | 19 | 28 | 0% | -13% | -13% | 1/1 | 72 |
| Adam Scott | $9,200 | $10,700 | $15,700 | 43 | 30 | -20% | -20% | -50% | 1/1 | 25 |
| Gary Woodland | $9,100 | $11,000 | $15,500 | 38 | 32 | -18% | -86% | -8% | 1/1 | 40 |
| Cameron Smith | $9,000 | $10,000 | $15,600 | 32 | 29 | 8% | 31% | -10% | 1/1 | 3 |
| Alexander Noren | $8,900 | $10,500 | $15,400 | 20 | 34 | -15% | -15% | -7% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Emiliano Grillo | $8,800 | $9,600 | $15,100 | 49 | 34 | 0% | 33% | 7% | 1/1 | 40 |
| Byeong-Hun An | $8,700 | $9,700 | $15,100 | 48 | 37 | -7% | 16% | -7% | 1/1 | 11 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | $8,600 | $10,600 | $15,600 | 37 | 29 | 38% | 9% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Brandt Snedeker | $8,500 | $10,100 | $14,700 | 46 | 48 | -29% | -47% | -29% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Branden Grace | $8,400 | 47 | 37 | 11% | 0% | 0% | 1/1 | 15 | ||
| Ryan Moore | $8,300 | $10,600 | $14,700 | 66 | 44 | 5% | -64% | -6% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Kyle Stanley | $8,200 | $9,500 | $14,600 | 27 | 44 | 5% | 21% | 5% | 1/1 | 19 |
| Kevin Na | $8,100 | $9,500 | $14,500 | 42 | 48 | 0% | 13% | 0% | 1/1 | 47 |
| Sungjae Im | $8,000 | $8,400 | $14,700 | 94 | 44 | 9% | 51% | -18% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Rafael Cabrera-Bello | $7,900 | $10,800 | $14,400 | 28 | 50 | 0% | -156% | 0% | 1/1 | 11 |
| Cheng-Tsung Pan | $7,800 | $8,600 | $14,400 | 103 | 51 | 0% | 35% | -4% | 1/1 | 47 |
| Chesson Hadley | $7,800 | $8,700 | $14,500 | 60 | 53 | -8% | 24% | -24% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Charles Howell | $7,700 | $9,400 | $14,300 | 75 | 53 | -4% | -4% | -8% | 1/1 | 19 |
| Abraham Ancer | $7,700 | $8,700 | $14,200 | 109 | 62 | -15% | 12% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Joaquin Niemann | $7,600 | $9,900 | $14,300 | 158 | 52 | 11% | -47% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Ian Poulter | $7,600 | $9,600 | $14,300 | 35 | 57 | -4% | -38% | -16% | 1/1 | 15 |
| Kevin Tway | $7,500 | $9,800 | $13,700 | 81 | 75 | -10% | -83% | -6% | 1/1 | 28 |
| J.B. Holmes | $7,500 | $8,900 | $14,100 | 80 | 65 | -3% | 0% | -3% | 1/1 | 67 |
| Austin Cook | $7,400 | $8,400 | $13,100 | 104 | 94 | -19% | 7% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Si Woo Kim | $7,400 | $8,600 | $14,300 | 57 | 54 | 13% | 24% | -12% | 1/1 | 44 |
| Kevin Chappell | $7,300 | $9,200 | $13,700 | 61 | 72 | 6% | -14% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Beau Hossler | $7,300 | $8,500 | $13,700 | 82 | 75 | 0% | 13% | -10% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Charl Schwartzel | $7,200 | $9,000 | $13,200 | 67 | 91 | -3% | -23% | -6% | 1/1 | 28 |
| Shubhankar Sharma | $7,200 | $8,300 | $13,600 | 113 | 78 | 3% | 22% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Adam Hadwin | $7,100 | $9,100 | $12,600 | 63 | 113 | -18% | -55% | -5% | 1/1 | 47 |
| Charley Hoffman | $7,100 | $9,700 | $12,600 | 44 | 110 | -13% | -126% | 0% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Keith Mitchell | $7,100 | $7,900 | $12,700 | 142 | 110 | -13% | 14% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Stewart Cink | $7,000 | $8,900 | $13,200 | 74 | 86 | 12% | -16% | -3% | 1/1 | 33 |
| Chez Reavie | $7,000 | $8,300 | $12,600 | 64 | 121 | -20% | -9% | -14% | 1/1 | 15 |
| Pat Perez | $7,000 | $8,800 | $13,000 | 59 | 95 | 5% | -18% | -3% | 1/1 | 5 |
| Brian Harman | $7,000 | $9,300 | $12,500 | 41 | 121 | -22% | -85% | -2% | 1/1 | 5 |
| Peter Uihlein | $6,900 | $8,400 | $12,800 | 70 | 105 | 9% | 0% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Joel Dahmen | $6,900 | $7,400 | $12,000 | 187 | 166 | -29% | 5% | -5% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Nick Watney | $6,900 | $8,100 | $12,300 | 127 | 127 | -13% | -6% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Jason Kokrak | $6,800 | $8,400 | $12,600 | 108 | 114 | 4% | -12% | -7% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Jamie Lovemark | $6,800 | $8,500 | $13,000 | 134 | 96 | 17% | -3% | -5% | 1/1 | 5 |
| Jimmy Walker | $6,800 | $8,700 | $12,600 | 77 | 118 | 2% | -38% | -9% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Scott Piercy | $6,800 | $7,600 | $12,600 | 252 | 120 | 0% | 14% | -12% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Andrew Putnam | $6,700 | $7,700 | $12,000 | 79 | 164 | -8% | -4% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| J.J. Spaun | $6,700 | $7,200 | $12,200 | 147 | 153 | 0% | 20% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Brice Garnett | $6,700 | $7,600 | $11,600 | 137 | 202 | -25% | -16% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Danny Willett | $6,700 | $8,200 | $11,900 | 342 | 179 | -15% | -28% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Whee Kim | $6,600 | $7,400 | $12,800 | 120 | 108 | 25% | 31% | -5% | 1/1 | 4 |
| Brendan Steele | $6,600 | $7,800 | $12,100 | 98 | 154 | 5% | -2% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Ted Potter | $6,600 | $7,300 | $11,600 | 106 | 213 | -20% | -5% | -5% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Michael Kim | $6,600 | $7,000 | $11,700 | 232 | 207 | -18% | 6% | -8% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Ryan Palmer | $6,500 | $7,900 | $12,100 | 114 | 159 | 8% | -10% | -6% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Graeme McDowell | $6,500 | $8,000 | $11,900 | 221 | 179 | -2% | -24% | -3% | 1/1 | 64 |
| Brian Stuard | $6,500 | $7,500 | $11,300 | 267 | 248 | -15% | -19% | -1% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Hyunwoo Ryu | $6,500 | $7,400 | $10,900 | 178 | 312 | -17% | -15% | -1% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Ryan Armour | $6,400 | $7,500 | $12,000 | 111 | 173 | 8% | -2% | -7% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Sang-hyun Park | $6,400 | $7,100 | $11,700 | 124 | 200 | 2% | 5% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Jason Dufner | $6,400 | $7,800 | $12,100 | 76 | 157 | 16% | -4% | -4% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Sung Kang | $6,400 | $7,100 | $12,000 | 159 | 164 | 13% | 15% | -2% | 1/1 | 54 |
| Brian Gay | $6,300 | $7,700 | $11,700 | 119 | 193 | 9% | -15% | -2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Patton Kizzire | $6,300 | $7,100 | $11,600 | 96 | 200 | 7% | 5% | 2% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Ernie Els | $6,300 | $7,100 | $10,900 | 613 | 314 | -4% | -8% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Kyoung-Hoon Lee | $6,300 | $7,000 | $10,800 | 306 | 350 | -6% | -3% | -1% | 1/1 | 47 |
| James Hahn | $6,200 | $7,500 | $11,400 | 130 | 236 | 6% | -17% | -1% | 1/1 | 40 |
| Hyungjoon Lee | $6,200 | $10,400 | 321 | 394 | -1% | 0% | -1% | 1/1 | 60 | |
| Dong Seop Maeng | $6,200 | $7,000 | $10,400 | 500 | -3% | -6% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 | |
| Rod Pampling | $6,100 | $7,000 | $10,300 | 759 | 521 | 0% | -7% | -1% | 1/1 | 61 |
| Doyeob Mun | $6,100 | $7,000 | $10,300 | 411 | 558 | -1% | -9% | -3% | 0/0 | 500 |
| Tae Hee Lee | $6,100 | $7,000 | $10,300 | 565 | -3% | -10% | -4% | 0/0 | 500 | |
| Minchel Choi | $6,100 | $7,000 | $10,100 | 360 | 972 | -4% | -11% | -1% | 0/0 | 500 |
Color Coding
Course history in BLUE indicates a top ten finish.
Course history in GREEN indicates a top 25 finish.
Course history in YELLOW indicates a made cut with a finish outside of the top 25.
Course history in RED indicates a missed cut.
Legend
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Site Odds | The percentage differential between a golfer’s salary rank and odds rank. The higher the %, the better. |
| OWGR | Official World Golf Ranking |
| Cuts | Cut record of each golfer at this course in the last five seasons. |
| 2013 – 2017 Columns | Course history at this event in the last five seasons. |