Jackson Koivun earned a spot on Team USA for this month’s Presidents Cup, marking his first appearance in the biennial competition just months after turning professional. The 21‑year‑old’s rapid ascent follows a stellar amateur résumé and a breakthrough win on the PGA Tour, and his selection comes at the expense of former world No.
1 Jason Day, who failed to secure a place on the International side. Koivun’s journey to the Presidents Cup was swift and dramatic.
After a glittering amateur career that saw him dominate junior and collegiate events, he turned pro immediately after the U.S. Open in June. Within three starts, he captured the 3M Open, a PGA Tour event that not only gave him a coveted victory but also propelled him into the FedExCup Playoffs, the season‑ending series that pits the tour’s best against each other. That win, achieved against a field of seasoned veterans, signaled that Koivun could compete at the highest level despite his youth.
By being named one of Brandt Snedeker’s six captain’s picks, Koivun becomes the youngest American to feature in a Presidents Cup since Jordan Spieth’s debut in 2015. The event will be held at Medinah Country Club, where Team USA is chasing an unprecedented 11th straight triumph in the competition’s history. Snedeker, who serves as captain, praised Koivun’s composure, noting that it is rare to see a player so young display such poise and confidence before even completing a full professional season. "His maturity, work ethic, and ability to win on the biggest stage are evident," Snedeker said.
"I’m eager to see how he handles the team environment and the pressure of representing his country." Koivun joins two other newcomers on Snedeker’s roster: Chris Gotterup, a three‑time PGA Tour winner this season, and Jacob Bridgeman, the recent Genesis Invitational champion. The three debutants were announced during a live television broadcast on Tuesday, underscoring the captain’s desire to blend fresh talent with seasoned veterans. Snedeker’s remaining selections leaned heavily on experience, with Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay all earning their fourth Presidents Cup appearances. Not everyone made the cut.
High‑profile players such as Ben Griffin and 2023 U.S. Open champion JJ Spaun were omitted, while Gary Woodland, despite winning the Texas Children’s Houston Open and posting five top‑10 finishes, will serve as a captain’s assistant rather than a playing member. The decision highlighted Snedeker’s emphasis on recent form and team chemistry.
On the International side, former world No. 1 Jason Day was the highest‑ranked player in the qualification rankings who did not receive a captain’s pick from Geoff Ogilvy.
Day’s season was marred by injuries and a dip in performance that left him out of the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time since 2007, making his exclusion understandable to the Australian captain. The International roster also features several returning competitors. South Korea’s Sungjae Im secures his fourth appearance, while Corey Conners returns for a third time after narrowly missing an automatic qualification.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout earns his third consecutive spot, bolstered by a 3.5‑point record in five matches, including two singles wins, according to Ogilvy. New faces include Cognizant Classic champion Nico Echavarria, Canadian Nick Taylor, and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, all making their debut in the event.
Qualification for Team USA spanned the 2025 PGA Tour season up to the BMW Championship on August 23. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler led the six automatic qualifiers, followed by Players Championship champion Cameron Young and U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark.
Veteran Sam Burns, Russell Henley, and Collin Morikawa—members of last year’s Ryder Cup squad—also secured automatic berths. The International qualification window ran from September 8 to the Tour Championship on August 30, using Official World Golf Ranking points to determine the six automatic slots.
South Korea’s Si Woo Kim topped the list, earning his fourth Presidents Cup appearance. Ryan Fox claimed a debut spot after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale, while Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim, and Adam Scott all returned for additional experience. The Presidents Cup will be contested from September 24‑27, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options available via NOW without a contract.
Fans can follow the drama as Team USA seeks to extend its dominance, while the International side hopes to break the American streak. Koivun’s inclusion adds a fresh storyline: a young talent who has already proven he can win on the PGA Tour, now stepping onto a global stage where teamwork and national pride intertwine. Whether his confidence translates into points for the United States remains to be seen, but his rapid rise exemplifies the new generation of golfers ready to shape the future of the sport.