PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Carter Tetherow has been losing bets on the golf course to Jackson Koivun for most of his life. Tetherow was just a spectator on this occasion as his childhood friend competed in the 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point Club. The bet? Tetherow had to drink a beer for every birdie Koivun made.
All that Koivun, a 20-year-old Auburn University junior and the No. 1-ranked amateur golfer in the world, did was shoot 6 under for the first 15 holes. By that time, he had closed out Tyler Weaver of Great Britain & Ireland in the lead match of the afternoon singles session by a score of 4 and 3, which was a good thing for Tetherow because he had to drive back to San Jose.
“I ran out of cups,” Tetherow said. “He kept making so many birdies – he even made an eagle which is extra – that I quit drinking. I’m just going to do it at home.”
Koivun played like a champ, eagling the second hole, drove the green on nine, wedged to 3 feet at 12 and closed with a flurry to down GB&I’s top-ranked player. It was a momentum-gaining point for the U.S. side, who trailed 3-1 after the morning session.
Champ is the nickname that Fred Garcia, teaching pro at Cinnabar Hills in San Jose, bestowed on Koivun, who has been his pupil since he was 12 years old. Garcia drove to the Monterey Peninsula to watch Koivun as he has so many times before, but this was extra special.
“I didn’t realize the scope of this whole thing. To see him out there it just made me cry,” he said.
Garcia has witnessed Koivun’s transformation from the kid who dreamed of being a Tour pro to one who already has secured a card through PGA Tour U when he turns pro.
“The last 3-4 months I’ve seen him go to another level, maturity-wise, confidence-wise. He knows he’s a Tour player, if that makes sense” Garcia said. “He just has an aura about him now.”
Garcia credits the change to playing practice rounds at the U.S. Open with the likes of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth as well as in three Tour events. Garcia ticked off a host of examples of his confidence in his game but his favorite was how during a recent round together Garcia hit an approach in the bunker. Garcia was none too happy with the result but Koivun told him when he misses a green, It just gives me the opportunity to show off.”
Koivun showed off plenty on Saturday and U.S. Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith showed his confidence in Koivun by sending him right back out in the leadoff spot on Sunday with teammate Tommy Morrison again in foursomes. Asked what he liked about Koivun’s game, Smith didn’t have to think hard.
“Everything,” he said. “All of the above.”
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