Jackson Koivun enters his first Presidents Cup at Medinah with elite match-play credentials, a historic Auburn résumé and growing confidence among U.S. teammates.
Jackson Koivun may be the youngest player on the U.S. Presidents Cup team, but nothing about his resume suggests he should be treated like a rookie.
The 21-year-old former Auburn star arrives at Medinah Country Club with one of the strongest amateur and college golf backgrounds in recent memory.
Koivun finished his Auburn career with an NCAA-record 68.89 scoring average, 11 collegiate victories and a 13-4-1 match-play record, giving U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker plenty of reasons to trust him in a format where composure matters.
Koivun also became the first player in college golf history to win the Haskins, Hogan and Nicklaus national player-of-the-year awards more than once. He helped Auburn capture NCAA team championships in 2024 and 2026 before turning professional.
That track record helped earn him one of Snedeker’s six captain’s picks for the 2026 Presidents Cup.
“It’s rare to see a player this young demonstrate the level of poise and confidence that Jackson has,” Snedeker said when announcing the selection. “His maturity and work ethic have always stood out.”
Koivun’s adjustment to the U.S. team room has been just as smooth.
Russell Henley called him “very mature as a golfer” and praised how quickly he has fit in around veterans such as Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas. Snedeker has also made it clear he doesn’t want Koivun changing his personality just because the stage is bigger.
“We’re not asking him to be somebody he’s not this week,” Snedeker said. “We want him to just go be him.”
That approach fits Koivun perfectly.
He’s reserved, competitive and already proven in head-to-head golf. His 13-4-1 career match-play mark at Auburn suggests he understands how to stay patient and let pressure build on the opponent.
Now, the setting changes.
The college championships are behind him. Medinah is the next test. And Koivun sounds ready for it. “I’m just trying to go play well for USA,” he said. “Just go fight hard for the United States.”
