At 21, Jackson Koivun has already marked his presence in professional golf by winning the PGA Tour. He achieved this feat at the 3M Open on TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota, holding off world No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, on Sunday.
Koivun delivered a strong performance with a final round of 5-under, culminating in a 25-under total to secure the win. Scheffler’s impressive 8-under final round fell short as he finished three strokes behind.
During the third round on Saturday, Koivun shot a remarkable 10-under 61, advancing to 20-under for the tournament. He set a record with a 28 on the back-nine, showcasing skill and determination.
On his final round, Koivun focused, achieving 3-under in the first six holes. His performance included two birdies on the back-nine, and he completed the day without any bogeys, asserting his dominance in the early stages of his PGA Tour career.
“All throughout the crowd, I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming,’” Koivun shared post-victory. “I just tried to tone that out and keep playing the golf I knew I could.”
Despite Scheffler’s impressive play, which included birdies on three consecutive holes on the back-nine, his efforts weren’t enough. Koivun maintained his lead, ensuring no mistakes were made.
Koivun secured a lucrative $1.584 million prize, a sum that matches his ambitions on the PGA Tour. Reflecting on his achievement, he expressed his passion for the sport:
“I just love this game. I love golf, it’s everything I do. I have a tough time getting away from it,” he explained. “It’s been love at first sight.”
As a former top amateur, Koivun’s transition to professional success marks the beginning of what could be a noteworthy career.