Young Blood and High Stakes: Snedeker Gambles on Rookie Jackson Koivun at Presidents Cup

When the United States team gathered at Medinah Country Club earlier this week to prepare for the 16th Presidents Cup, the first order of business was not tweaking short games or analyzing fairways. It was initiating the team’s newcomers.In front of roughly 50 teammates, coaches and staff, the three rookies were forced to pick up a microphone and sing. Jacob Bridgeman delivered his rendition of “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. Christopher Gotterup channeled “One Last Breath” by Creed, and Jackson Koivun belted out “Heartless” by Kanye West. “It was nerve-racking, but hilarious,” Mr. Bridgeman told reporters at Chicago.The lighthearted laughter, however, will quickly yield to intense pressure when the 12-man American squad led by captain Brandt Snedeker faces the International team captained by Geoff Ogilvy in the four-day competition beginning Thursday. Unlike the Ryder Cup where the Americans have traditionally struggled against the Europeans, the Americans have dominated the Presidents Cup compiling a 13-1-1 record, including 10 straight victories.Mr. Koivun, the 21-year-old from Auburn who was selected by Mr. Snedeker with one of his six captain’s picks, is among those counted on to keep that success going. The six Americans who qualified automatically through points standings are Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, and Collin Morikawa. Mr. Snedeker’s picks were Mr. Gotterup, Mr. Bridgeman, Mr. Koivun, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay.Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Mr. Koivun was selected. Ranked No. 48 on the U.S. points list, he’s the lowest ranked of any player selected as a captain’s pick in Presidents Cup history. He’s also the second youngest U.S. player in Presidents Cup history, behind Jordan Spieth who was 20 when he played on the 2013 squad.Mr. Koivun didn’t turn pro until after the U.S. Open but captured the 3M Tournament in just his third professional start. Still, his selection over higher-ranked players like J.J. Spaun could be seen as a way to draw a younger audience and heighten television ratings. Mr. Snedeker insists the PGA Tour did not twist his arm to put Mr. Koivun on the team.“Being captain, you have to make tough decisions unfortunately,” Mr. Snedeker said. “We had 15 guys, 16 guys that we were really looking at. The best advice I got from all the captains I talked to and even coaches is you’ve got to trust your gut. My gut was telling me one thing.”Just how much Mr. Koivun will play is uncertain, but he is eager to prove he isn’t a wasted pick. “Obviously making it this quick is really cool and special,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “But at the same time, when it comes up on the first tee tomorrow, I need to feel like I belong and I’m ready to compete. At the end of the day, you’ve got to go hit good shots regardless.”Mr. Snedeker admitted he worried how the newcomers, especially Mr. Koivun, would assimilate with veteran players like Mr. Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 ranked golfer. “Jackson Koivun was playing college golf a year ago,” Mr. Snedeker said. “Now he’s in a team room and in a group chat with Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Patrick Cantlay. (We’re) trying to get him as comfortable as possible. The guys have been fantastic. At the end of the day, if the guys in the team room buy into bringing him in, it’s going to make that transition a lot easier.”Mr. Koivun’s personality should work well in a team situation. As a rookie, he’s let the veterans be the leaders. “We have some big personalities in that room,” Mr. Snedeker said. “I think Jackson’s process is probably on the reserved side. He’s not going to be a gregarious outgoing guy and joking and laughing a ton. For someone who’s 21 years old, he’s well beyond those years in the way he carries himself. We’re not asking him to be somebody he’s not this week. We want him to just go be him.”The four-day, match-play event features 30 total matches. All matches are worth one point for a total of 30 points; there are no playoffs, with each side receiving a half point if a match is tied after 18 holes.Thursday’s play consists of five Four-Ball (best ball) matches; with five Foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday. Eight matches will be played on Saturday with Four-Ball in the morning and Foursomes in the afternoon. Sunday’s finale, which President Trump is expected to attend, features 12 singles matches. The team that earns the most points after four days of competition wins the Presidents Cup.Mr. Koivun is confident he can help the Americans maintain their winning streak. “Definitely going to feel some nerves on the first tee, but we’re all human,” he said. “I think everyone does. I feel like once I get that first tee shot out of the way, I’m going to be good. Just balancing adrenaline, nerves, everything like that to the best of my ability because I’ve put myself in situations like that. 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.”

Young Blood and High Stakes: Snedeker Gambles on Rookie Jackson Koivun at Presidents Cup

Young Blood and High Stakes: Snedeker Gambles on Rookie Jackson Koivun at Presidents Cup

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