Has Byron Nelson’s Legacy Been Destroyed by PGA Tour? Golf World’s Massive Outrage Over $9.5M Event Explained

Many would think the upcoming PGA Tour event is dominating the headlines because of its spectacular field, or some similar reason. Unfortunately, that is not the case, as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson is being talked about for all the wrong reasons, or in this case, just one—its trophy—which has sparked the fury of many in the community.

Previously known as the AT&T Byron Nelson, the tournament saw its sponsor being replaced by the CJ Group, which is a South Korean holding group with a presence in many fields, for the next 10 years. This swap may have resulted in a massive 9.5 million purse, but that wasn’t all. The trophy, originally a memento with the golfer on top, changed too, becoming a tablet with an image of a bridge at the base and numerous inscriptions on its face.

The new award draws inspiration from two aspects that are dubbed “Korea’s greatest heritage,” the ‘Hangeul’ and ‘Jikjisimcheyojeol’ (Jiki). While the former refers to the nation’s own system of writing and the alphabet, the latter is a book printed with a metal moveable type much like Johannes Gutenberg’s and is popularly referred to as the “oldest known book in the world.”

Using these two aspects as a base, the winners of the CJ Cup, including the likes of Justin Thomas (2017 and 2019) and Brooks Koepka (2018), among others, are engraved in Korean on the trophy. And now considering the event has seen a revamp and been renamed as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the champion’s name will undergo a similar process and be carved into the right-hand side of the trophy in gold. Despite the heritage that the new trophy is based off, the public’s disapproval of it for the upcoming tournament appears to be widespread.

The unique style of the new CJ Cup Byron Nelson trophy

Many took to the internet to make fun of the trophy, commenting on its size: “Used to be a good sized trophy with Nelson on top… easier to do away with it now that Nelson is gone smh.” Although it didn’t top the ‘Best Trophies List’ consisting of the Claret Jug to the President’s Cup, it seems the golfing world still had an emotional connection to the old trophy, and more so to Byron Nelson himself, who many considered a legend in the sport.

The event was named after Lord Byron, whose swing was deemed so consistent that even a robot (the Iron Byron, which is a machine used to teach golfers how to perfect their swing) was named after him, becoming a testament to his technique, being such that only a mechanical man can replicate. This was the legacy of the great Byron Nelson. And now that was seemingly fading quickly, and this one user was rather dissatisfied with it. “The Iron Byron and his legacy comes to this?”

The new memento boasts a bridge at its base, “symbolizing the link that connects the dream to reality.” It also marks a new alliance between the late professional and the CJ Group. But that was not welcomed in a keen manner by one follower, who went ahead to make fun of the design with a far too controversial comment.

What do you think of the new trophy? While it brings forth the unique combination of a tradition and the culture of Korea, is it, in your opinion, too wiping out Nelson’s legacy? Let us know in the comments below.