Brandt Snedeker is betting on 21-year-old Jackson Koivun, whose rapid PGA Tour rise puts him in the spotlight for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Chicago’s Medinah.
Brandt Snedeker could've played it safe with his 2026 Presidents Cup captain’s picks. Instead, he put part of America’s hopes at Medinah Country Club in the hands of 21-year-old Jackson Koivun.
That’s not a ceremonial youth movement, it’s a gamble.
Koivun joins Chris Gotterup, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay and Jacob Bridgeman as Snedeker’s six captain’s selections.
They’ll join automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Russell Henley, Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa on a U.S. team trying to extend its dominance in the Presidents Cup.
Koivun is easily the most fascinating choice.
He barely had time to unpack his suitcase after leaving Auburn before he started looking like he belonged with the best players in the world.
At the 3M Open in July, Koivun shot 25-under 259 and beat Scheffler by three strokes for his first PGA Tour victory. He posted weekend rounds of 61 and 66 and set the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record.
That’ll get a captain’s attention, but Snedeker isn’t picking Koivun based on one hot week. Koivun’s Auburn resume borders on ridiculous.
He became the first golfer in SEC history to win Player of the Year three consecutive seasons.
As a junior, he won six times, produced 12 top-10 finishes in 14 starts and recorded a 68.20 scoring average. He finished his Auburn career with 11 individual victories, tying the SEC record.
Now comes the harder test.
Stroke-play trophies are one thing. Presidents Cup pressure is different. Koivun will walk into Medinah surrounded by major champions, Ryder Cup veterans and players who’ve lived through the emotional chaos of team golf.
Snedeker apparently believes Koivun won’t shrink from it.
And that’s what makes this pick so compelling. The Americans didn’t need another recognizable name just for the sake of experience. They needed somebody capable of changing a match.
Koivun has already stared down Scheffler on Sunday and won. If he can bring that same nerve to Medinah, Snedeker’s biggest gamble might turn into his smartest move.
