Top golfers feel comfortable with Jeju course at CJ Cup

Justin Thomas speaks during a press conference for the inaugural CJ Cup on Jeju Island, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Baek Byung-yeul

JEJU -- On the day before the CJ Cup, the first U.S. PGA Tour event in Korea, kicks off, top golfers shared their impressions of the course and their game plan, Wednesday.

Seventy-eight golfers will compete on the Nine Bridges courses on Jeju Island from Thursday to Sunday with a total purse of $9.25 million. Sitting at 3,500 feet above sea level, the course is a 7,196-yard, par-72 layout.

World No. 4 Justin Thomas, who is visiting Korea for the first time, said he is satisfied with the golf course.

“I’m very excited to be here. It’s a great opportunity to come to Korea and play in Jeju Island. It’s beautiful. The course is great, it’s in a great condition and has an unbelievable field too for a first year event,” Thomas told reporters during a press conference.

Sharing his game plan, Thomas said players need to play smart as the greens have a lot of slopes.

“The greens have a lot of slope on them. The greens are very big as well, so the slope can play a big factor and a big role in how you are going to play the course.

“If you want to use some of the slopes to get close to the holes or if you want to use some to get into the spot where you want to putt from, but the hardest part is that you just have to play smart. You can’t be too aggressive and short sight yourself or have the putt above the hole,” he said.

Thomas added that wind could be a factor.

“If there is not much wind, the scores are going to be pretty low.

“If the wind picks up, it could be pretty difficult out there with the rough and the greens. If it’s tough, I could see an eight- to 12-under winning. If it’s pretty calm, it could be something around 16- to 20-under,” he said, adding he is pretty bad at guessing what the winning scores will be.

When asked which hole could be a deciding one, Thomas answered the par-4 14th as that is a hole that could create a little bit of drama. “Someone could make an eagle or make a bogey or whatever it may be. The thing about this course is that there are a lot of holes that if you drive the ball well you have a great chance of a birdie and then if you miss the fairway you get out of position and will be grinding to try to save par.”

World No. 25 Adam Scott also said the Club at Nine Bridges is in great condition.

“I think the course is very generous for us in many ways this week. A little wide fairways and some softer greens because of some rain previously over the last couple of days. It looks like with no wind there is going to be some good scoring this week, which I think is going to be fun for everyone involved; for the players certainly,” said Scott.

World No. 9 Jason Day, who visited Korea two years ago for the 2015 President’s Cup, said he decided to compete at CJ Cup because of the zealous local golf fans here.

“I’m looking forward to competing on this golf course this week. I think it was the fans that actually won me over here because of how much they love their golf. The cheering out there, they are always yelling ‘fighting’ which is a Korean thing. I had an enjoyable time playing in front of the fans,” said Day.

When asked which holes will determine the winner of the tourney, Day picked par-4 11th. “Obviously, looking at the holes right now, I think the 11th is a difficult hole. The tee shot is something that you need to get on the fairway. I’m trying to see the course as it is right now.”

He also added that the par five holes are the most important for the game. “The par fives are the most important. Obviously, playing the par fours is the key but, if you can play the par fives well here (you will do well). Because for me, as a longer hitter with the soft conditions, I can get to those par fives in two if I’m in position. The guys that are average or below average, it’s a straight three shot hit for those guys.”