U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

June 20, 2026

Jackson Koivun

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. What did it feel like here playing the weekend of the U.S. Open?

JACKSON KOIVUN: It feels great to be able to get up on Saturday and Sunday. Obviously the golf course is playing really tough today with the wind. Golf course was definitely a little more firm and greens a little faster.

I'm okay. Impartial about the way I played, but just happy to be here.

Q. What was it like playing with Miles?

JACKSON KOIVUN: It was good. I hadn't spent a lot of time with him in the past. He's a great kid, obviously a great player. We had a fun day.

Q. With the five amateurs making the cut, do you allow yourself to think about what that means for your future golf and what you guys can do to make your mark?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Yeah, I mean, amateur golf is in a great spot right now. The college kids are definitely showing off, showing off how good they are. For five of us to make it through it's quite impressive.

Q. You said you hadn't really known Miles before. Have you met him before this week? What did that look like?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Yeah, I've met him in passing, but this is the first time I've got to spend some time with him.

Q. It's impressive for you to do this at your age, but to see a 17-year-old out there, is that crazy to you?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Definitely. He's been in the game for a while and is just such a good player. Just nothing but good remarks for him.

Q. Do you allow yourself to look around and think what it could look like someday if I get back here when I'm playing in the afternoon and stuff?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Yeah, just trying to gain as much experience as I can. Obviously fresh off deciding turning pro. Yeah, it's definitely a grind and just learning things about my game I can just get a little bit better every day.

Q. What's it like for you to be called the future of golf? They called you that on the broadcast today. What do you think about that? How does that make you feel?

JACKSON KOIVUN: It feels great. I'm trying not to think about that, just taking it one day at a time and let my golf game do the talking. Those are great compliments.

Q. How confident are you now you're about to turn pro?

JACKSON KOIVUN: I feel great. I'm excited to get out there. Last summer I played really well and just trying to keep it rolling into this summer and just looking forward to what's ahead.

Q. What's the feeling like at the end of yesterday after the close call to finally get over the cut to get to the weekend? What was going through your mind as you kind of finally got through?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Yeah, it was very stressful. I knew exactly where I needed to get to. Birdies on 5 and 6 were great, but at the end of the day, I'm still trying to fight to get back into contention.

I told myself those last six holes, hey, if I can go back four birdies, I can just try to get myself into a good spot. Just happy to have made the cut and be here on the weekend.

Q. Have you played in wind like that?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Here and there. It's pretty difficult with the side slopes and how firm the greens are and some of these pin locations. I have played in wind like this, and it just takes a different type of golf.

Q. Jackson, everybody always talks about you've been such a awesome putter. I'm wondering, what is your approach that actually allows you to be such a good putter? How would you explain?

JACKSON KOIVUN: I just try to go into every putt thinking I'm going to make it, having confidence in the stroke. My putting hasn't been great this week, but just looking forward to seeing what I can do on the greens tomorrow.

Q. Where are you on the, like, technical feel kind of spectrum?

JACKSON KOIVUN: I would say I lean a little bit more towards feel. I kind of just see the putt, read it, feel it, and then hit it. But, yeah, there's definitely some technical stuff I work on and just kind of feeling everything out.

Q. Have you always been a good putter?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Yeah, I mean, it's definitely been one of my strengths for a long, long time, yeah.

Q. What's the best nugget you picked up this week so far, either advice or experience?

JACKSON KOIVUN: Just be patient out here, especially at a golf course like this. You can hit good shots that don't get rewarded and try to not let that frustrate me and just go about the next one.