Jackson Koivun's Rapid Rise Lands Him a Presidents Cup Spot

Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old rookie out of Auburn University, has been named one of U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker's six captain's picks for the Presidents Cup, which begins next week at Medinah No. 3 outside Chicago.

How did Jackson Koivun earn a Presidents Cup pick?

Koivun turned pro this year and won the 3M Open in late July by three strokes over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, in just his third career start as a professional. The victory made him the youngest American to win a PGA Tour event by multiple strokes since Ralph Guldahl at the 1932 Phoenix Open.

The same week as that win, Koivun was named the Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year, becoming the first golfer to receive the award and the first Auburn athlete to win it since Bo Jackson in 1986.

What is Koivun's role heading into the Presidents Cup?

Koivun will be the first player 21 or younger to compete for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup since Jordan Spieth in 2013. He is one of only two players on the 12-man U.S. team, along with Jacob Bridgeman, competing in a PGA Tour event this week, ahead of Medinah, to stay sharp under competitive pressure.

Snedeker played a practice round with Koivun at the Wyndham Championship before making his selection.

What made Koivun such a highly touted prospect?

Koivun arrived on tour already regarded as one of the most decorated players to come through the college ranks, having swept nearly every major individual honor available to him at Auburn before turning pro. That amateur record, combined with the immediate 3M Open win, is a large part of why his Presidents Cup selection drew little surprise inside the sport even at 21.

Koivun has spent barely two months as a professional and is already carrying a Presidents Cup pick into the biggest team event of his career.

The U.S. enters the Presidents Cup looking to end a run that has cost the team the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup and Solheim Cup over the past year, adding pressure to a roster that now includes the youngest player on either side.