Jackson Koivun proves captain's pick was right with unbeaten Presidents Cup debut

Jackson Koivun was seemingly twirling his club and chasing his golf ball before he ever finished his swing.

If there was any doubt where the confidence level of the 21-year-old making his Presidents Cup debut was, his tee shot on the par-4 18th hole at Medinah No. 3 put it all to rest. Koivun's club twirled with swagger, and he had a bounce down the fairway like a golfer striding toward a blowout victory in a major championship.

It would've been impossible to tell, not knowing the situation, he had a 1-up lead against the International team's best player with one hole to go.

As if the tee shot wasn't filled with confidence, Koivun's club twirl after his approach could've spun up a tornado it was so violent. Koivun hit his approach to 8 feet, and after Kim missed his birdie look, the duo took off their hats and shook hands.

Koivun came into the 16th Presidents Cup as a controversial captain's selection, but what Koivun did on Sunday proved Brandt Snedeker made the right decision. Koivun won his singles match, 2 up, and was the only American to go undefeated at Medinah, earning 2½ points in three matches as the U.S. had a historic, come-from-behind victory to win its 11th straight Presidents Cup.

And for Koivun, as if everything he has done since turning professional three months ago wasn't enough, his stellar victory Sunday proved he has arrived as a major force in professional golf with a good chance to be a stalwart donning the red, white and blue in international team competitions for years to come.

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"It's just been such a cool learning experience," Koivun said Sunday. "Being under captain Snedeker and being around all these guys is so cool, and obviously to come out on top after a large deficit coming into today is just a feeling I can't explain."

Koivun stood on the 11th tee facing a 2-down deficit but proceeded to win the next three holes and four of the next six. Even after losing the 16th, Koivun made a par on the 17th and then proceeded to hit two of the most confident shots of his life when the lights were the brightest.

Koivun's selection was unprecedented but well deserved. Last year, as the No. 1 amateur in the world, Koivun went 3-1-0 in the 50th Walker Cup, including winning both of his singles matches. Then, he was 1 up with one to play against now-No. 1 amateur Preston Stout in the semifinals when Auburn clinched the match. The next day, he won his match to help Auburn win its second national championship in three years.

Then in his third professional start, Koivun won the 3M Open on the PGA Tour. Last week, he finished T-5 at the Biltmore Championship Asheville.

And this week, he was the breakout start for the USA.

"I had some goals, but for it to come this quickly is definitely shocking, and I'm just thankful and grateful for the trust the captains put in me to put me out in three of the five matches," Koivun said.

Cameron Young and Chris Gotterup were also making their President Cup debuts for the Americans, with both players earning three points each. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who was runner-up to Koivun at the 3M, also earned three points. But those were the only golfers to earn more than Koivun did.

Koivun's performance is not surprising to those who have followed his amateur career. His resume pits him as one of, if not, the best amateurs this century. That quick transition to the professional game was almost a given, and now with even more experience and confidence under his belt, it's likely his trajectory is only going to go upward.

And if the leadership of team golf in the U.S. has its way, Koivun will be a fixture of future Presidents and Ryder Cup teams for years and years to come.

"I think I'll just take a lot of knowledge that I can be out here and I can compete," Koivun said. "It's just exciting being able to call these guys my friends, and now when I go to tournaments it's not like, oh, there's so and so. It's like, I was on a team with them, and we won the Presidents Cup."

Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).