The CJ Cup Byron Nelson's record-breaking crowd of 240,083 spectators over five days has “raised expectations for even greater investment and growth in the future,†according to Lee Jong-Ho of the SEOUL ECONOMIC DAILY. This year's attendance figure surpassed last year's of around 180,000 and was the “highest attendance since the event moved to TPC Craig Ranch†in 2023. Many spectators “came not just for the golf but to experience K-culture.†CJ is “already widely recognized among Americans as a leading force behind K-culture.†Featuring CJ's major brands, the large-scale cultural complex “House of CJ†showcased the “essence of Korean food, beauty and music.†Food, beverage and merchandise revenue from the “House of CJ†and various pop-up stores reportedly “increased by more than 30 percent compared to last year†(SEOUL ECONOMIC DAILY, 5/26). The CHOSUN DAILY's Jeong Hyeon-seok reported CJ Group Chair Lee Jay-hyun “visited the site for the first time since the event moved to the U.S.†due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The chairman “arrived early to inspect the localization efforts for three consecutive days from the second round to the final round.†He “directly encouraged†affiliated PGA Tour players, including Kim Si-woo and Im Sung-jae, “accelerating the group's global momentum†(CHOSUN DAILY, 5/26).
