Jackson Koivun has earned a spot on Team USA for this month’s Presidents Cup, marking his first appearance in the prestigious event only a few months after turning professional. The 21‑year‑old’s rapid rise follows a standout amateur career and an impressive start on the PGA Tour, where he captured the 3M Open just three starts after joining the ranks of the pros and secured a place in the season‑ending FedExCup Playoffs. Koivun’s selection makes him the youngest American to play in the Presidents Cup since Jordan Spieth’s debut in 2015.
Captain Brandt Snedeker chose him as one of six captain’s picks for the competition at Medinah Country Club, where Team USA is looking to extend its record streak to an 11th consecutive victory in the biennial showdown. The live television reveal on Tuesday introduced three newcomers to the U.S. squad. In addition to Koivun, Snedeker named three‑time PGA Tour winner Chris Gotterup and Genesis Invitational champion Jacob Bridgeman as part of his 12‑man roster.
Snedeker praised Koivun’s composure, 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.” To round out the team, Snedeker relied on seasoned veterans, recalling Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay for their fourth Presidents Cup appearances. The captain’s strategy blended youthful energy with proven experience, aiming to create a balanced lineup capable of handling the pressure of a high‑stakes match‑play format. Not everyone who hoped to make the squad succeeded. Ben Griffin and last year’s U.S.
Open champion JJ Spaun were among the high‑profile players left off the roster, while Gary Woodland will serve as a captain’s assistant despite a strong season that included a victory at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and five top‑10 finishes on the PGA Tour. On the International side, former world No. 1 Jason Day was the highest‑ranked player in the qualification rankings to miss a captain’s pick from Geoff Ogilvy.
Day struggled with form and fitness throughout the season and, for the first time since 2007, failed to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs. His omission underscores the depth of talent on both sides of the Atlantic and the fine margins that separate automatic qualifiers from captain’s selections.
The International Team will feature a mix of veterans and newcomers. Sungjae Im returns for a fourth appearance, while Corey Conners makes his third trip after narrowly missing an automatic berth.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout earns his third consecutive spot, and rookies such as Cognizant Classic winner Nico Echavarria, Canada’s Nick Taylor and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune round out the lineup. Ogilvy explained his decision to keep Bezuidenhout, stating, “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’ve selected him.” The United States qualification period began at the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season and concluded with the BMW Championship on August 23.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler led the automatic qualifiers, followed by Players Championship champion Cameron Young and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. Additional automatic spots went to Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa, all of whom were part of last year’s Ryder Cup team.
The International Team’s qualification window ran from September 8 through the Tour Championship on August 30, using Official World Golf Ranking points to determine the six automatic spots. Si Woo Kim topped the list, securing his fourth Presidents Cup appearance, while Ryan Fox earned a debut after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale. Returning International players include Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim and Adam Scott. The Presidents Cup will be contested from September 24‑27, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options available through NOW without a contract.
Fans can also follow the event through various streaming platforms that do not require a traditional cable subscription. The competition promises high‑drama match‑play golf, national pride, and the chance for newcomers like Koivun to make a lasting impression on the world stage. Koivun’s rapid ascent—from a celebrated amateur to a PGA Tour winner and now a Presidents Cup rookie—illustrates the evolving landscape of American golf, where young talent can break through quickly when given the right opportunities. His inclusion signals confidence from the captain and a belief that his fresh perspective will complement the experience of the seasoned veterans.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Medinah to see whether Team USA can continue its dominance and whether the new generation of players can rise to the occasion and deliver the points needed for another historic victory.