How US Presidents Cup team solved rookie’s no-girlfriend problem during awkward dinner moment

September 23, 2026
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There are 12 members of the U.S. Presidents Cup team — and 11 of of them brought their significant others.

Jackson Koivun was the odd man out Tuesday night during the traditional dinner for members of the team and the captains.

The 21-year-old, though, was made to feel like one of the team as the 15 other wives and girlfriends (including captains) surrounded him for a photo.

Jackson Koivun poses for a group photo with the wives and significant others of the U.S. Team prior to the Presidents Cup at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park in Chicago, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. PGA Tour

Koivun buried his head in his hands while laughing as he was surrounded.

The U.S. team consists of Scottie Scheffler (married to Meredith), Cameron Young (married to Kelsey), Wyndham Clark (dating Emily Tanner), Sam Burns (married to Caroline), Russell Henley (married to Teil), Collin Morikawa (married to Katherine), Chris Goetterup (dating Samantha Monte), Justin Thomas (married to Jillian), Xander Schauffele (married to Maya), Patrick Cantlay (married to Nikki), Jacob Bridgeman (married to Haley) and then Koivun.

The scene was somewhat reminiscent of Rickie Fowler in 2016, when the U.S. team celebrated their Ryder Cup by embracing their significant others while the single Fowler stood there with the most awkward face imaginable.

Rickie Fowler of the United States looks on while fellow team members celebrate with their partners at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Getty Images
Jackson Koivun of the U.S. Team stands with wives and girlfriends of teammates during the Presidents Cup Gala prior to the Presidents Cup 2026 at Millennium Park in Chicago, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. PGA TOUR

The former Auburn star joined the PGA Tour this season and won his first tournament at the 3M Open in July, holding off Scheffler.

Still, his selection to the U.S. Team — which takes on the International squad starting Thursday at Medinah Country Club — was somewhat of a surprise.

JJ Spaun, who won the 2025 U.S. Open, was considered the primary snub and voiced his displeasure last week after winning the BMW Championship.

“I played with a huge chip on my shoulder,” Spaun said Sunday after his DP World Tour win at Wentworth, which included a strong field.

“I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason.”

The opportunity for Koivun gives him a chance to prove he has the mettle to deal with the pressure of a team competition in an event which the Americans are heavily favored.

“These decisions are always tough,” captain Brandt Snedeker said at the time of the decision. “It comes down to your gut instincts on some of these things.

Jackson Koivun is surrounded by the wives and girlfriends of his teammates before the Presidents Cup. @PGATour/X
Jackson Koivun of the US hits on the fourteenth hole during practice for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, Monday, September 21, 2026. Tannen Maury/UPI/Shutterstock

“You can look at stats all you want, past performances all you want, but you have to have a feeling. For some reason, I just had a gut feeling. We’ll see how that turns out. But I have full confidence he’s ready for the challenge.”

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