What Xander Schauffele claims he’s trying to get Jackson Koivun to do during Presidents Cup week

Xander Schauffele has suggested that it has been his mission to try and make Jackson Koivun laugh ahead of the Presidents Cup, with the youngster making his Team USA debut this week.

Koivun is the youngest player on Brandt Snedeker's team by some way.

The 21-year-old forced his way onto the side with an impressive run midway through the season, winning the 3M Open on his third professional start.

You can imagine that it is a difficult stage for Koivun to walk onto. He is now teammates with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele , Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark. Those five names have all won multiple major championships.

Xander Schauffele comments on how Jackson Koivun has settled into the Presidents Cup team

The American team has previously been accused of not being as close as their opponents over the years, particularly in the Ryder Cup. They have traditionally found it more challenging to come together after spending the majority of their season as individuals.

But Schauffele suggested that there is a good atmosphere within the team room ahead of the Presidents Cup , particularly with the rookies fitting in extremely well.

"It's been fun. We have a couple of new rookies on the team. They don't feel like rookies. They're obviously sort of battle tested. Our youngest rookie has already won on tour in his third start," he said.

"Nice to have those types of rookies playing versus I feel like when I was a rookie, I felt much greener, bluer, whatever the right term is. Our rookies feel like sneaky veterans. And they're fun. They're fun to play with. Good attitudes, and they seem to have no fear.

"The chemistry has been a lot of fun. A lot of laughing in the locker room. So I feel like my job is just try and get everyone as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible."

Jackson Koivun will be thrown straight into the deep end, with Brandt Snedeker sending him out alongside Justin Thomas in the opening session at Medinah on Thursday.

Schauffele commented on how Koivun has adapted to the environment.

"He's great. He's 21, you know. But he's been funny. Slowly opening up to us. He's second youngest guy to ever be on the team, which is pretty special," he said.

"Like I said, my goal is just try to get him to laugh, try and get him to open up, and then just get comfortable knowing that we all have his back and knowing that he'll have ours, too."

Xander Schauffele shares his admiration for Adam Scott ahead of his 12th Presidents Cup appearance

At the other end of the scale is Adam Scott . Koivun was not even alive when Scott made his first appearance in the event back in 2003. The Australian will be playing in the Presidents Cup for a 12th time this year.

Unfortunately, Scott is yet to be on the winning side in the event. And Schauffele spoke about how much a victory would probably mean to the 2013 Masters champion.

"I really like Adam Scott. No secret there. He doesn't want anyone's feelings on it. He's a competitor and he wants to get it done. He'll tell you that all he needs is one to make it feel really sweet, probably something along the lines of what he'd say," he said.

"So I love competing with him. We share the same physio week to week on a normal Tour schedule. So it's been nice to get to know him a little bit better. He's definitely inspiring to me. Aside from Presidents Cup. Just being that competitive at his age, at this time where golf is is really, really impressive. So nothing but respect for Adam."

With Scott no longer as prolific as he was once at finishing inside the top-10 at the majors, the Presidents Cup has arguably become even more significant in his career.

It would be a real shame if his playing days ended without him being on a victorious International Team. Of course, Schauffele will be hoping that his wait continues beyond this week at least.