At the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club, 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun secured his debut victory alongside partner Justin Thomas, defeating Colombia’s Nico Echavarria and Canada’s Corey Conners 4 and 3 in Thursday’s four-ball session to put the first point on the board for the United States.
Koivun’s Rollercoaster Presidents Cup Debut
Jackson Koivun arrived at Medinah Country Club as the second-youngest American player in Presidents Cup history, trailing only Jordan Spieth, who was 20 during the 2013 event. U.S. Captain Brandt Snedeker selected Koivun with a captain’s pick following a rapid rise that included winning the 3M Open in just his third PGA Tour start after leaving Auburn University, where he was a two-time national champion.
The opening hole tested the rookie immediately. Koivun striped his opening tee shot down the first fairway, drawing praise from U.S. support staff, but subsequently dumped his approach into the greenside bunker and hit a poor shot from there, walking off without hitting a putt while Thomas secured a par to halve the hole. On the second hole, Koivun’s tee shot sailed out of bounds to the left, and his recovery from a fairway bunker ricocheted off a wood fence back into play.
The Impact of the Thomas-Koivun Partnership
U.S. Captain Brandt Snedeker paired Koivun with Justin Thomas to insulate the rookie through the emotional swings of match play.
The win advanced Thomas to a 7-0 record in four-ball matches across his Presidents Cup career, tying Jordan Spieth for the most wins without a loss or tie in the format. Thomas drew on his own early team experiences—having been guided by Rickie Fowler in 2017, Jordan Spieth in 2018, and Tiger Woods in 2019—to mentor Koivun through the week. The pair share an agent through Excel Sports Management’s Lance Young and built a rapport during practice rounds when Koivun qualified for the U.S. Open.
Thursday Results and Foursomes Friday Outlook
Following the opening four-ball matches, the United States holds a 3-2 lead over the International Team heading into Friday’s foursomes session. Historically, the Americans hold a 34-point advantage in foursomes over the history of the event, though the International Team swept the Friday foursomes session in 2024.
Captain Brandt Snedeker deployed Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns out first to build on their win. Meanwhile, International pairing Im and Matsuyama return after delivering a lopsided 7-and-6 victory over Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in 2024, setting up a competitive second day at Medinah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jackson Koivun at the 2026 Presidents Cup?
Jackson Koivun is 21 years old, making him the second-youngest American player in Presidents Cup history behind Jordan Spieth.
Who did Jackson Koivun play with in his first Presidents Cup match?
Koivun played alongside Justin Thomas in Thursday’s four-ball match against Nico Echavarria and Corey Conners.
What was the final score of Koivun and Thomas’s Thursday match?
Thomas and Koivun defeated Echavarria and Conners 4 and 3 to secure the first point of the event for the United States.
What is Justin Thomas’s record in Presidents Cup four-ball matches?
Justin Thomas improved to a 7-0-0 record in four-ball matches, sharing the record for most wins without a loss or tie with Jordan Spieth.
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