Jackson Koivun Told How To Play His Way Into Presidents Cup Team As Brandt Snedeker Admits He'd Be 'Dumb' Not To Consider Him

Team USA Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker says he'd "be dumb not to take a really good, hard look" at including Jackson Koivun in his side for Medinah this year.

Koivun had a stellar college career and translated that immediately into PGA Tour success with victory at the 3M Open in just his third event since turning pro.

The 21-year-old was one of the most highly-rated amateurs ever, and showed why when he held off Scottie Scheffler in Minnesota to claim the first of what will surely be many victories to come.

The win catapulted him into 70th in the FedEx Cup standings and started the debate about whether Koivun should be included in the USA's Presidents Cup team.

Despite his youth and inexperience the talent is obviously there, so Snedeker must be tempted to thrust the youngster into team golf action and see what he can do - especially with an away Ryder Cup coming up next year.

Snedeker admitted on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio that Koivun was very much on his radar, and if he keeps his form up then he'll be a serious contender for a spot on the team regardless of his age.

"I’m not going to discredit a 21-year-old kid who’s played in, I don’t know, four or five events this year just because he’s been in college," said Snedeker.

"I wouldn’t be doing the team the right service, or him the right service.

"If he goes out and plays great golf in the next four or five weeks, earns a spot and shows that he’s willing to be one of the 12 best players for us, I’d be dumb not to take a really good, hard look at him."

Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk has spoken of creating more cohesion with the Presidents Cup, and with the USA's dominance over the International Team it would make sense to give Koivun a taste of team golf now.

If he makes the strides we expect then he could be right in the mix for Adare Manor and having the experience of a Presidents Cup under his belt would be a huge benefit.

Snedeker, who has played with Koivun, was impressed with how he handled the pressure of closing out a PGA Tour victory so early in his career.

"I actually got to play with Jackson a few years ago at Memorial when he was a freshman and I was obviously super impressed by his game then when he was 18, 19 years old. He’s only gotten better since then, so I give him a ton of credit," Snedeker added.

"What he did last week was not easy to do, especially being four or five starts into your professional career. And to handle the pressure like he did on Sunday was really impressive. Super excited for him, and super excited for the tour to have another young star."

Should Jackson Koivun make Presidents Cup?

Koivun shot 69 at the Rocket Classic as he returned to PGA Tour action after his 3M Open victory - playing alongside US Open champion Wyndham Clark and former Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley in a star grouping.

"He's just an incredible player," said Bradley. "Really. Really great guy. How old is he, 20, 21, something in there?

"He seems more mature and older, which makes him unique as a lot of the younger players that I have seen come out that are really good play a much different game.

"He's not a 195 ball speed guy, he's just a really solid player. I was really impressed."

Time will tell but if Koivun can maintain anything like the momentum he's built up then Snedeker might have no choice but to include him for the Presidents Cup and see exactly what he can do.