As the 2026 Presidents Cup approaches at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, the Biltmore Championship in Asheville, North Carolina, serves as the final competitive tune-up for seven players representing both teams. The event features a mix of established veterans and rising stars looking to sharpen their games before the biennial showdown.
Koivun Embraces Competition as Best Preparation
For the United States team, 21-year-old Jackson Koivun headlines the Asheville field alongside Jacob Bridgeman, the PGA Tour’s top-ranked putter. Koivun, the 2026 3M Open champion, has not competed in a Tour event since the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he missed the cut in the FedExCup Playoffs opener. Despite the layoff, U.S. Captain Brandt Snedeker selected him outright, making Koivun the youngest Presidents Cup pick since Jordan Spieth in 2013.
Koivun views the Biltmore Championship as essential for recapturing tournament rhythm.
“It’s hard to replicate the feelings of playing a PGA Tour event. The best way to do that is to just get back into it and enjoy being in the competition and having to hit shots under pressure,”
Koivun said Wednesday. His confidence in the match-play format stems from extensive experience. He played a pivotal role in the U.S. Walker Cup victory at Cypress Point Club in 2025 and captured two NCAA National Championships with Auburn University in 2024 and 2026.
“Match play is one of my favorite formats. It’s so exciting playing on a team, playing for guys you can call your brothers for the rest of your life. And then you’re just going one-on-one against another person and may the best man win.”
Koivun added during the Presidents Cup Selection Show.
International Team Builds Underdog Narrative
On the International side, Nico Echavarria arrives in Asheville after a breakthrough 2026 season. He opened the year with a playoff victory over Ryan Gerard at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National, making the Presidents Cup a primary objective.
“In the middle of the summer, I was putting a lot of pressure on myself with the Presidents Cup situation. But I liked it. I liked the challenge and feeling. I wanted to get myself on the team and qualify without getting picked. Unfortunately, I didn’t, but luckily I got picked.”
Echavarria said earlier Wednesday. The Colombian has leaned on mental coaching to manage the emotions of representing his country on the world stage.
“I’ve been pretty clear with him and talked about how nervous I’m going to be on that first tee or first session or that week overall. But he’s told me a lot of, ‘You’re fortunate to be feeling those nerves. You’re fortunate to be here.’ Use it to your advantage. Use it to sharpen the focus,”
Echavarria shared in a pre-tournament interview.
Echavarria also framed the International Team’s challenge as a historic opportunity. The International side has never won a Presidents Cup on American soil.
“We’ve talked about in the team, it’s a little bit of David against Goliath. We’re the underdogs. But we want to make history. The international team has never won in the United States. So I think in a way, this group is kind of getting together as a family, is probably going to be our best chance.”
Final Steps Before Medinah
With the Biltmore Championship underway, both squads are using Asheville to settle nerves, build momentum, and fine-tune their games. The U.S. Team aims to extend its dominant home record, while the International Team seeks its first stateside victory. For players like Koivun and Echavarria, this week represents the bridge between individual preparation and the collective pressure of the Presidents Cup at Medinah.
