After three weeks of sluggishness in the Masters, the CJ Cup's aim to turn around is so that even if Kim Joo-hyung poked him, he couldn't bleed.

Apr 30, 2025

사진=김용 기자

[McKinnie (Texas, USA) = Reporter Kim Yong-yong of Sports Chosun] "I want to be so hard that I can't poke or bleed." The current slump is the process."

Kim Joo-hyung appeared like a comet on the PGA Tour in 2022, surprising everyone with his 'surprise star' by winning two championships: the Wyndham Championship and the Shriners Children's Open.

After two consecutive losses at the 2023 Shriners Children's Open, he did not win, but he has steadily established his position as a new powerhouse. In particular, he left a strong impression on fans around the world with his outstanding performance and tremendous showmanship in two Presidents Cup appearances in 2022 and 2024.

But this year is depressing. The season, which entered with high expectations, has no results at all. He finished the Masters in a tie for 52nd place and took a break from the tournament.

Kim Joo-hyung flew to Korea in the meantime. He wanted to be checked by coach Lee Si-woo, who coached him when he played in the KPGA. And with coach Lee, he will come back to the U.S. to prepare for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson (hereinafter referred to as The CJ Cup).

This year's The CJ Cup will be held at TPC Craig Branch in McKinney, near Dallas, Texas, starting on the 2nd (Korea time). CJ Group, which had held its own competition with the CJ Cup, has joined hands with the Byron Nelson competition since last year. Before signing with current sponsor Nike, Kim was also sponsored by CJ Group. Although he broke up with CJ, he has not forgotten to participate in the competition.

Kim Joo-hyung, who attended the official press conference ahead of the competition, said, "'It feels like a home game to me.'" Familiar. I also have good memories in this competition. It was my first tournament before my big performance in 2022, and when I come here, I remember the moments before I played on the PGA Tour. I remember the feelings and excitement I felt while coming here, and I want to play like I did in 2022 while reminiscing about those memories" he said. Kim currently lives in Dallas, about 30 minutes away from the venue.

Photo courtesy=CJ그룹

Kim Joo-hyung said of his poor performance this season "Last fall was really good. I came in second four times. And I wanted to make a definite change than last fall. However, changes are accompanied by good and bad things. To take it to the next level, I think we have to wait patiently"I explained my current situation. The reason why I found this coach again is that `I'm training well with the coach now, but each coach has different thoughts and solutions. It's a process to make mine. I'm trying to find the overall balance. I lost weight and gained muscle mass, and I think the body needs time to adapt." Then "I have a great faith in my golf. I think I can show better performance than anyone else if I ride the good flow," he added.

In the Byron Nelson competition, Korean players performed exceptionally well. Lee Kyung-hoon won two consecutive tournaments in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, Kim Si-woo tied for second place. Why are Korean players strong in the TPC Craigslist. Kim Joo-hyung said, `Korean golf is famous for its sophistication. The shots are more accurate when Korean players create chances. If it is possible to putter, the course will allow Korean players to create many opportunities."

Finally, Kim said, `The most important thing this season is that I'm trying to be solid in golf as a whole. Grades are important, but I want to strengthen my skills as a golfer and my mental part in my life. It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I want to be hard enough to not bleed even if I poke it with a needle. I try to endure the difficult times now so that I can become a bigger player later and not be swayed when I achieve more."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.