Koivun Secures First PGA Tour Victory
Jackson Koivun, a PGA Tour rookie, secured his first professional win at the 3M Open in his third start. He finished the tournament with a record 25-under 259 total, holding off Scottie Scheffler by three strokes. Koivun’s final round included a five-under 66 on Sunday.
Koivun, who was the top-ranked amateur player after a college career at Auburn, turned professional last month following the U.S. Open. He played a consistent game at the TPC Twin Cities, maintaining a bogey-free record for the second consecutive day.
Tournament Performance and Records
During the third round on Saturday, Koivun shot a 61, moving three strokes ahead with a 20-under par. This round included a tournament record 28 on the back nine. His performance gave him a three-shot lead after 54 holes.
Koivun’s victory set a new tournament record for the 3M Open, surpassing the previous record of 24-under 260, held by Lee Hodges from 2023. He became the fourth rookie to win this season.
Among those tied for second at 17 under were Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles, each scoring a 65 in the third round. Michael Brennan and Chandler Phillips were tied for fourth at 16 under, with Brennan shooting a 63.
Denny McCarthy, Billy Horschel, and Michael Kim were in a tie for sixth at 15 under. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked player, was six strokes behind Koivun in a four-way tie for ninth place with Davis Thompson, Seamus Power, and Brian Harman after the third round.
Koivun’s Journey and Future Outlook
Koivun, a 21-year-old, earned his first PGA Tour win despite feeling pressure from Scheffler’s strong finish. He mentioned hearing “Scottie’s coming” from the crowd but focused on his own game. Scheffler, who played five groups ahead, made a push with a 63, resulting in his fourth runner-up finish this season.
A crucial moment for Koivun was a par-saving putt on the ninth green after his approach landed in the sand. He stated that making that putt was significant for his momentum, especially after seeing the scoreboard and realizing his lead had narrowed.
Koivun previously missed the cut at the John Deere Classic and tied for 10th at the ISCO Championship earlier in the month. He has made 10 starts in tour events as an amateur. His win moved him up in the FedEx Cup standings to 70th, which is the last position above the cut for the playoffs with two regular season events remaining.
Koivun, who grew up in San Jose, California, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at age 17, began his golf journey. He broke the NCAA career record for per-round stroke average and helped lead Auburn to a national championship.
Scheffler acknowledged the talent of young players entering the game, noting their preparedness. He also commented on Koivun’s mental strength, stating that winning for the first time is difficult, especially for a young player coming out of college.
After his win, Koivun embraced his father, George, on the course and then had a video call with his mother, Meghan, who was unable to attend the tournament.
Source: nanaimonewsnow.com
