Jackson Koivun, a 21‑year‑old who only turned professional a few months ago, has earned his first call‑up to Team USA for the upcoming Presidents Cup. The announcement came as former world number one Jason Day was left out of the International Team, highlighting the dramatic shifts that can occur in elite golf selections.
Koivun’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. After a distinguished amateur career, he decided to forgo the remainder of his college eligibility and turned pro immediately following the U.S. Open in June.
Just three events later, the young phenom captured his maiden PGA Tour title at the 3M Open, a victory that not only secured his place in the season‑ending FedExCup Playoffs but also announced his arrival on the world stage. His rapid ascent has drawn comparisons to past prodigies, and his inclusion in the Presidents Cup squad makes him the youngest American to compete in the event since Jordan Spieth’s debut in 2015. Captain Brandt Snedeker, who is assembling the 12‑man United States roster, selected Koivun as one of six captain’s picks.
The other three newcomers joining the squad are Chris Gotterup—who has already collected three PGA Tour wins this season—and Jacob Bridgeman, the recent Genesis Invitational champion. Snedeker explained his reasoning during a live television broadcast on Tuesday, noting, “It’s rare to see a player this young demonstrate the level of poise and confidence that Jackson has, even before turning professional.
His maturity and work ethic have always stood out. He’s already proven he can win on the biggest stage in golf on the PGA Tour, and I’m excited to watch him perform in his first team event.” The captain’s strategy balances youthful energy with seasoned reliability. Veteran players such as Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay were all retained for what will be their fourth Presidents Cup appearance, providing a solid backbone for the team. Meanwhile, notable names like Ben Griffin and last year’s U.S.
Open champion JJ Spaun were omitted, sparking conversation among fans and analysts about the depth of American talent this year. Even Gary Woodland, who captured the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March and has logged five top‑10 finishes on the Tour, will serve in a supporting role as a captain’s assistant rather than as a competing player. On the International side, the selection process produced its own surprises. Australian veteran Jason Day, who topped the International qualification rankings, was the highest‑ranked player left out of the final lineup by captain Geoff Ogilvy.
Day’s season has been hampered by inconsistent form and lingering fitness concerns, marking the first time since 2007 that he failed to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs. In contrast, seasoned International competitors such as Sungjae Im, returning for his fourth Presidents Cup, and Corey Conners, making his third appearance after narrowly missing an automatic berth, were retained. Christiaan Bezuidenhout secured his third consecutive International spot, while rookies Nico Echavarria (Cognizant Classic winner), Canada’s Nick Taylor, and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune were also added to the roster. Ogilvy defended his decision to keep Bezuidenhout, saying, “Christiaan has experience in this event that would have been difficult to leave on the table.
He’s earned 3.5 points in five matches, including two singles victories. He knows what to expect and he delivers. That’s why I selected him.” The United States qualification window spanned from the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season through the BMW Championship on August 23.
World number one Scottie Scheffler led the automatic qualifiers, followed by Players Championship champion Cameron Young and U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark. Additional automatic spots were claimed by Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa, all of whom contributed to last year’s Ryder Cup triumph. For the International Team, the qualifying period ran from September 8 to the Tour Championship on August 30, with Official World Golf Ranking points determining the six automatic slots.
Si Woo Kim topped the list, earning his fourth Presidents Cup appearance, while Ryan Fox secured a debut after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale. Returning veterans Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim and Adam Scott rounded out the experienced core. The 2026 Presidents Cup will be contested at Medinah Country Club, where Team USA aims to extend its record to an eleventh straight victory in the biennial competition. The event is scheduled for September 24‑27 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available through NOW without a contract.
As the teams finalize their preparations, the mix of seasoned campaigners and fresh talent promises a compelling narrative, and many will be watching closely to see whether the United States can maintain its dominance or if the International contingent can finally break the streak. Fans eager for more coverage can also explore related content, such as a recap of how Team USA secured the 2024 Presidents Cup, an interview with Snedeker regarding his captaincy, and upcoming live golf schedules on Sky Sports.
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