Justin Thomas jokes that Jackson Koivun “blacked out” at the Presidents Cup while praising the newest American star. It was a light-hearted moment from Thomas, but it also captured something bigger: Koivun’s debut at the biggest stage in golf was electric, and everyone in the clubhouse noticed.
Koivun, a 21-year-old rookie, made his Presidents Cup debut at Medinah. Thomas, a veteran of three previous Cups, got a front-row seat for the show. The two were paired together for the third match of the opening day’s four-ball session, and Thomas picked up on something unusual before Koivun even hit his first shot.
Thomas’s Blackout Story
Thomas recalled the moment on Sunday, describing Koivun’s reaction as almost comical. “It just was really cool to kind of just watch him do his thing,” Thomas said. “I’ll never in my life forget the smile he had on his face when he put the tee in the ground on Thursday morning and he was about to hit.”
Then came the joke. “I think he kind of blacked out and went to pick up the tee, didn’t pick up the tee. It was just laying right there when I went to go put my tee in the ground. It’s kind of cool to get to experience those moments with someone.”
The image is perfect. A young player so nervous he nearly forgets what he was doing, and then he hits the shot anyway. Thomas saw the moment as a reminder of why Koivun was there in the first place.
Cruising to a Win
Koivun and Thomas cruised to a 4&3 victory over the International pairing of Nico Echavarria and Corey Conners on Thursday. That win set the tone for Koivun’s first day, but the rest of the week was a mixed bag.
Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker opted to sit Koivun during Friday’s foursomes matches, which the Americans were swept 5-0 in. Snedeker then paired Koivun and JT together again for Saturday’s four-ball session. The Thomas-Koivun duo grabbed a 2-up lead with four holes to play before Sungjae Im and Min Woo Lee found some late momentum to earn a half point.
Koivun finished 2-0-1 in his Presidents Cup debut. For a player who has been a professional for less than 90 days, that record was still an accomplishment.
Sunday’s Singles Match
The highlight came on Sunday. Koivun squared off against Si Woo Kim, a veteran of the event and arguably the best ball-striker on the property for the week. Koivun fell to 2-down after 10 holes, but he held on to earn a 2-up victory.
It was a remarkable performance from a player who was still competing in college golf earlier this calendar year. Koivun’s presence at the Presidents Cup was a story in itself, and his play made it a better one.
What Thomas Said
Thomas’s words were kind throughout. He spoke about Koivun’s ability to perform under pressure, and he noted that the young player’s smile on Thursday morning was something he would never forget.
“It’s kind of cool to get to experience those moments with someone,” Thomas said. The joke about Koivun “blacking out” was a playful way of acknowledging the pressure. It was also a compliment. Koivun was nervous, but he played through it.
Koivun’s record of 2-0-1 in his Presidents Cup debut was the top takeaway from the event from the Americans’ perspective.
The Week in Review
| Day | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Four-ball | 4&3 win |
| Friday | Foursomes | Sit out |
| Saturday | Four-ball | Half point |
| Sunday | Singles | 2-up win |
Koivun’s week was a mix of success and setbacks. He won his four-ball match on Thursday and his singles match on Sunday, but the half point on Saturday was a modest result for a pair with a 2-up lead. Still, his overall record of 2-0-1 was a strong showing.
The Presidents Cup is a team event, and Koivun’s contributions mattered. His performances across the board suggested he belongs at this level.
Koivun’s debut was a statement. He played against some of the best players in the world, and the fact that he was still playing college golf earlier this year makes the achievement even more remarkable.
Thomas’s joke about Koivun “blacking out” was a lighthearted way of acknowledging the pressure. It was also a compliment. Koivun was nervous, but he performed.
Source material: “Justin Thomas jokes that Jackson Koivun 'blacked out' at Presidents Cup while praising newest American star,” Fox News.
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