Jackson Koivun Awarded McCormack Medal as World’s Leading Amateur
8/20/2025 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
Auburn standout Jackson Koivun wins the 2025 McCormack Medal as WAGR No. 1, earning 2026 Open and U.S. Open exemptions.
August 20, 2025 | St Andrews, Scotland & Liberty Corner, N.J. — Jackson Koivun, 20, has been awarded the prestigious Mark H. McCormack Medal as the No. 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®). The honor solidifies Koivun’s standing as the game’s top amateur and earns him exemptions into next year’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
A Dream Fulfilled
“It’s a huge honour to win this award. I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped me and it’s a dream come true,” Koivun said. “It’s in the back of everyone’s head and you just try and fight and keep playing well. To be able to say I’m a McCormack Medal winner is just really, really cool.”
Collegiate Breakthrough at Auburn
The Chapel Hill, North Carolina native rose to prominence during his historic freshman season at Auburn University in 2024. Koivun won the SEC Championship, posted top-six finishes in 12 of 13 starts, and became the first player to sweep all four major collegiate awards in the same year — the Jack Nicklaus, Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan, and Phil Mickelson Awards. He also went 3-0 in match play to help Auburn capture its first-ever NCAA Championship, finishing just one stroke shy of the individual title.
Koivun represented the USA in the Arnold Palmer Cup in both 2024 and 2025, adding international experience to his résumé.
2025 Season: College Wins and Pro Success
This year, Koivun added victories at the SEC Men’s Golf Championship Stroke Play and the NCAA Auburn Regional, and finished runner-up at the Mason Rudolph Championship. His amateur success has translated into professional opportunities, including a major championship debut at the 2025 U.S. Open, followed by three impressive PGA TOUR finishes inside the top 12 at the John Deere Classic, ISCO Championship, and Wyndham Championship.
Earlier this summer, Koivun was named to the U.S. Walker Cup team for next month’s 50th edition at Cypress Point, near his California birthplace. He is also part of the inaugural Elite Amateur Programme, a USGA initiative designed to help top amateurs transition toward the professional game.
“I’m super excited for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point,” Koivun said. “I grew up about an hour away from there. I’ve played there a couple of times and it’s an unbelievable course. To be named a Walker Cup player is something I will never forget and is truly special.”
Praise from the USGA and R&A
“Jackson has shown that he is a force in the amateur game and we’re proud to see him accept this honour,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA Chief Championships Officer. “All of us at the USGA look forward to watching him compete at Cypress Point in a few weeks and know he’ll be a presence in our championships for years to come.”
Professor Steve Otto, Chief Technology Officer at The R&A, added: “Jackson has enjoyed an outstanding year and we congratulate him on winning this prestigious award. In leading amateur championships and professional events, he has demonstrated exceptional skills and is a thoroughly deserving recipient.”
About the McCormack Medal
The McCormack Medal is awarded annually by the USGA and The R&A to the world’s leading male and female amateurs. Named after Mark H. McCormack, the founder of IMG and a major supporter of amateur golf, the award has become a coveted milestone for the game’s rising stars.
The World Amateur Golf Ranking®, supported by Rolex, launched its men’s ranking in 2007 and women’s in 2011. Today, the men’s system tracks over 4,317 events and 4,860 players from 118 countries, while the women’s ranking includes nearly 3,000 events and more than 3,300 players from 85 nations.
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