America have a future Ryder Cup star already emerging although Keegan Bradley has not picked him this year

Add as preferred source on Google

The countdown to the Ryder Cup continues, with the pressure rising on American captain Keegan Bradley to secure the trophy.

Bradley will already be concerned by Rory McIlroy as the competition nears, with the Northern Irishman among the European contingent looking to upset the hosts at Bethpage Black.

Team Europe veteran McIlroy amped up his Ryder Cup preparations by taking on the Irish Open, which he won at The K Club in Kildare.

Meanwhile, the American Ryder Cup team will play the Procore Championship this week as they step up their preparations, with the European players expected to take on the BMW PGA Championship.

The captain did, however, have one eye on another event that has indeed just concluded, with Bradley cheering on the American Walker Cup team in their latest clash against Great Britain and Ireland.

America have a future Ryder Cup star already emerging

The USA defeated their rivals 17-9 in the 50th edition of the Walker Cup, which took place at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach.

And one player in particular is certain to have caught the eye of Bradley and indeed future Ryder Cup captains.

READ MORE: Luke Donald may be cringing as Rory McIlroy makes statement which heaps pressure on Team Europe at the Ryder Cup

Having gone out first in every session at the Ryder Cup-style event for amateurs, Jackson Koivun finished his week with a 3-1-0 record.

An Auburn University junior, Koivun is currently the number one player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

Jackson Koivun helps USA claim big Walker Cup win over Great Britain & Ireland

Koivun really impressed in California, where he was joined by teammate Jase Summy in securing three wins from their four matches each.

The 20-year-old showed fantastic character on home soil, recovering quickly after losing 3&1 in the day one foursomes.

The tides then turned in his day two foursomes match, while Koivun won both of his singles meetings with WAGR number 10 Tyler Weaver, Great Britain and Ireland’s highest-ranked player.

A Ryder Cup selection for Bethpage Black would have likely arrived too soon for the youngster, but he’s certainly done his future prospects the world of good.

The Walker Cup does fall short of the prestige of the Ryder Cup, but Koivun will have learned many key skills from the two-day tournament, namely the pressure of representing the USA and playing in a team environment.

Moreover, LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau attended the Walker Cup, which should have provided the current team with real inspiration to join him in progressing to the next level.