MEDINAH, Ill. — Only four years ago, Jackson Koivun played in the Junior Presidents Cup as a high school senior and wandered around Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, a little star-struck being on the same grounds as Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas, who were representing the United States in the main event.
It was less than four months ago when Koivun helped lead Auburn University’s men’s golf program to another NCAA Division I tournament title, the final chapter in a remarkable collegiate career before stepping up to the PGA Tour after turning pro.
And on Thursday, the 21-year-old Koivun will team up with Thomas in a four-balls match for his Presidents Cup debut. For a sport with a reputation of moving slowly, his career has been at warp speed.
“Definitely going to feel some nerves on the first tee, but we’re all human. I think everyone does,” Koivun said Wednesday. “I told Justin 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.”
Three days of practice on the No. 3 course at Medinah Country Club — a rain-soaked layout when players arrived, but drying out by the day — gives way to the opening session of five four-balls matches.