Jackson Koivun has been granted a coveted spot on Team USA for this month’s Presidents Cup, a remarkable achievement given that he only turned professional a few months ago. The 21‑year‑old’s rapid ascent follows a stellar amateur career and a swift transition to the PGA Tour, where he captured the 3M Open just three starts after declaring himself a professional at the U.S.
Open in June. That victory also earned him a place in the season‑ending FedExCup Playoffs, underscoring his ability to compete at the highest level right out of the gate. Koivun’s selection makes him the youngest American to appear in a Presidents Cup since Jordan Spieth’s debut in 2015. Captain Brandt Snedeker announced the decision during a live television broadcast on Tuesday, naming Koivun as one of his six captain’s picks for the upcoming contest at Medinah Country Club.
The United States team will be looking to extend its record streak to an eleventh straight victory in the biennial competition, and Snedeker’s inclusion of a rookie signals a blend of youth and experience in his 12‑man lineup. Alongside Koivun, Snedeker also chose two other newcomers: Chris Gotterup, who has already amassed three PGA Tour wins this season, and Jacob Bridgeman, the recent Genesis Invitational champion.
"It’s rare to see a player this young demonstrate the level of poise and confidence that Jackson has, even before turning professional," Snedeker remarked. "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 balanced those fresh faces with seasoned veterans, recalling Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay for their fourth Presidents Cup appearances.
Their experience will be crucial as the United States seeks to maintain its dominance. Notably, several high‑profile American players missed out on the roster. Ben Griffin and last year’s U.S.
Open champion J.J. Spaun were left off the team, while Gary Woodland, despite a win at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and five top‑10 finishes, will serve as a captain’s assistant rather than a playing member. On the International side, former world No.
1 Jason Day was the highest‑ranked player to be omitted from the captain’s picks made by Geoff Ogilvy. Day’s season was hampered by injuries and a dip in form that saw him miss the FedExCup Playoffs for the first time since 2007. In contrast, seasoned International players such as Sungjae Im, returning for a fourth appearance, and Corey Conners, making his third, secured spots, while rookies like Nico Echavarria, Nick Taylor and Ryo Hisatsune were also selected. Ogilvy explained his decision regarding Christiaan Bezuidenhout, who earned a third consecutive invitation: "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 with the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season and concluded at the BMW Championship on August 23. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler topped the automatic qualifiers, followed by Players Championship champion Cameron Young and U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark.
Former Ryder Cup veterans Sam Burns, Russell Henley and Collin Morikawa also secured automatic spots, rounding out a formidable lineup. The International Team’s qualification window ran from September 8 to the Tour Championship on August 30, using Official World Golf Ranking points to determine the six automatic qualifiers. Si Woo Kim led the standings, earning his fourth Presidents Cup appearance, while Ryan Fox made his debut after capturing The Open at Royal Birkdale.
Other returning International stalwarts included Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Tom Kim and Adam Scott. The competition itself will be staged from September 24‑27, with live coverage on Sky Sports Golf and streaming options available via NOW without a contract.
Golf fans can also explore additional Sky Sports deals and stream the action using a Chrome browser for optimal video playback. As the United States prepares to defend its record, the inclusion of a youthful talent like Jackson Koivun adds an intriguing narrative to a tournament already rich with history and high‑stakes drama.