A Presidents Cup debutant has been singled out for a rookie mistake
Presidents Cup rookie Jackson Koivun has been singled out(Image: James Gilbert, PGA Tourvia Getty Images)
Jackson Koivun’s Presidents Cup debut got off to a rocky start after turning up last for the team bus. Koivun was the standout captain’s pick for Team USA’s clash with the International team at Medinah.
The 21-year-old is the PGA Tour’s latest sensation after triumphing in just his third outing as a professional. Three-time SEC Individual champion Koivun enjoyed an outstanding college career before wasting little time in establishing himself in the pro ranks.
Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker was convinced enough to use one of his six captain’s picks on the breakthrough talent. While Koivun’s ability and composure caught the eye of his peers, he committed a rookie blunder when the squad assembled at the beginning of the week.
According to Wyndham Clark, Koivun was the last man to board the bus. Clark said: “Jackson, literally the first practice round we did, he was the last one to show up, and we gave him so much crap, ‘Hey, you can’t be showing up late as a rookie.”
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That wasn’t the only difficult initiation the youngster faced this week. He delivered a rendition of Kanye West’s Heartless for his karaoke performance, a rite of passage for rookies.
But things did not go according to plan, if Collin Morikawa’s verdict is anything to go by. He said: “Jackson, I’ll give a three out of 10 [for his performance]. Not good, struggled. Got through it.”
Yet those uncomfortable moments have only enriched the experience for Koivun, who has thoroughly enjoyed mixing it with the sport’s elite. He said: “It’s been so much fun. The week has kind of flown by. Really excited. The golf course is great, and getting to know everyone is really cool.
“I’ve just been nothing but excited this week. I’ve been waiting for Thursday to come. Definitely going to feel some nerves on the first tee, but we’re all human. I think everyone does.
“I told Justin [Thomas], once I get my first tee shot out of the way, I’m going to be good. Just kind of balancing adrenaline, nerves, everything like that to the best of my ability because I’ve put myself in situations like that.
Koivun with fourballs partner Justin Thomas on Thursday(Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“I don’t really know if anything is going to recreate what I’m going to feel on the first tee tomorrow, but just getting into that mindset that this is here and we’ve got to go play some good golf.”
Koivun and his US team-mates have work to do if they are to retain the competition they have traditionally dominated. The International team won all five matches on Friday to take a commanding lead.
Having trailed 3-2 to the US after Thursday’s fourballs, the International side swept the board in the day-two foursomes to open up a 7-3 advantage.
It raised hopes of a first victory in the event since 1998 and only a second since the competition began in 1994. There will be four further foursomes matches and four more fourballs on Saturday, with 12 singles games taking place on Sunday.