NORMAN, Okla. – Auburn men's golf will send two players, junior Brendan Valdes and freshman Jackson Koivun, to represent the Red, White and Blue at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup July 5-7 at Lahinch Golf Club in Munster, Ireland, as announced by the GCAA and Golf Channel Tuesday.
The United States men's team is made up of 12 of the best American amateurs in collegiate golf. Auburn is the one of two programs to have multiple representatives on this year's team. The other spots are to be filled by Preston Summerhays (Arizona State), Ian Gilligan (Florida), Luke Clanton (Florida State), Jack Lundin (Missouri), David Ford (North Carolina), Michael La Sasso (Ole Miss), Ben James (Virginia), Jackson Van Paris (Vanderbilt), Jackson Klutznick (Emory) and Gordon Sargent (Vanderbilt).
This season, Koivun and Valdes have spearheaded what is shaping up to be the best season in the 76-year history of the Auburn golf program. The duo has led the squad to a record-shattering seven wins, including a current streak of four in a row.
Each player has also recorded an individual win on the season. Koivun earned the first of his career in March's Pinehurst Intercollegiate. Valdes picked up his first of the season, second of his career in the Tigers' previous outing, The Mossy Oak Collegiate.
Together, Valdes and Koivun have combined for 12 top-five finishes, 17 top-10 finishes and 41 rounds below par. Both are seeded inside the latest top-10 national rankings via Scoreboard/Clippd.
They become the program's fourth and fifth Tigers to earn Palmer Cup status, joining Blayne Barber (USA - 2011, 2012), Michael Johnson (USA - 2016) and Jovan Rebula (International - 2018). Both of Auburn's current assistant coaches are also Palmer Cup alums. Chris Williams represented Team USA at the 2011 and 2012 cups, and Buddy Alexander was the head coach of the American squad in 2005.
Arizona State's Matt Thurmond will be this year's head coach for the men. Florida's Dudley Hart will be the assistant.
Koivun and Valdes look to lead the Tigers to a conference title this week, April 24-28, at the 2024 SEC Men's Golf Championship. St Simons Island, Georgia's Seaside Golf Club hosts the tournament. Public attendance is free and encouraged.