St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, New Jersey, US: Jackson Koivun has won the Mark H McCormack Medal as the leading male in the 2025 World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
The McCormack Medal winner receives exemptions next year into the US Open at Shinnecock Hills and The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
Koivun said: “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. It’s a medal every amateur golfer strives for.
“It’s in the back of everyone’s head and you just try and fight and keeping playing well. To be able to say I’m a McCormack Medal winner is really cool.”
The 20-year-old American, who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has built on his successes last year to reach the top of the world standings.
Koivun’s freshman year at Auburn University in 2024 was one of the best seasons in collegiate history. Last year he won the SEC Championship and only finished outside the top-six once in 13 starts. He became the first player to win all four major collegiate awards (Jack Nicklaus, Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan and Phil Mickelson awards) in the same season.
As a freshman, he posted a 3-0 match play record to help Auburn claim its first-ever NCAA title, while finishing one stroke out of the top spot individually. Koivun was selected to represent the US in the Arnold Palmer Cup in 2024 and did so again this year.
In 2025, he has won the SEC Men’s Golf Championship Stroke Play and the NCAA Auburn Regional, as well as finishing runner-up at the Mason Rudolph Championship. Koivun’s amateur achievements have helped secure professional opportunities and he qualified for his major debut at the US Open in June and has since impressed by securing three finishes inside the top-12 at the John Deere Classic, ISCO Championship and Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour.
Koivun has been named in the US side for next month’s 50th Walker Cup match against Great Britain and Ireland at Cypress Point and is in the inaugural Elite Amateur Programme, part of the US National Development Programme launched by the USGA to help players navigate their college years and transition to the next level.
California-born Koivun added: “I’m super excited for the Walker Cup at Cypress Point. 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. I’m looking forward to going and competing.”
John Bodenhamer, USGA Chief Championships Officer, said: “Jackson has shown that he is a force in the amateur game and we’re proud to see him accept this honour and reap the benefits of all that comes with it.
“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, said: “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 of this year’s medal. We look forward to watching his career progress in the years ahead.”
The R&A and the USGA co-award the McCormack Medal annually. It is named after Mark H McCormack, who founded sports marketing company IMG and was a great supporter of amateur golf.
The WAGR, which is supported by Rolex, was established in 2007 when the men’s ranking was launched. The men’s ranking encompasses over 4,317 counting events, ranking 4,860 players from 118 countries. The women’s ranking was launched in 2011 and has a calendar of around 2,984 counting events with more than 3,353 ranked players from 85 countries.
