Jackson Koivun, the former world No. 1 amateur, announced his arrival on the PGA Tour in emphatic fashion Sunday, winning the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities with a bogey-free final round. Playing in just his third event as a professional, Koivun shot a 5-under 66 to finish at 25-under 259, three shots clear of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
The 22-year-old didn’t drop a shot all weekend, following a course-record 61 on Saturday with a steady 66 under pressure. His total of 259 is the lowest in 3M Open history, a testament to his ball-striking and composure.
“It’s surreal,” Koivun said. “To do it against a field like this, and especially with Scottie making a charge, it’s everything I’ve dreamed of.”
Scheffler, who shot 63 on Sunday to close the gap, could only tip his cap. “He played great,” Scheffler said. “Bogey-free on the weekend, that’s championship golf.”
Brandt Snedeker, the U.S. Presidents Cup captain, had Koivun on his radar before this week. The performance surely strengthens the case for a potential captain’s pick when the team is announced in September.
The win also means Scheffler will end the PGA Tour’s regular season with only one victory, as he is expected to rest until the FedEx Cup Playoffs. For others, time is running out: only the Rocket Classic and Wyndham Championship remain to secure a spot in the postseason. Koivun, meanwhile, jumps into the FedEx Cup standings and will likely make the playoffs, adding to his remarkable story.
Koivun’s journey from amateur star to PGA Tour winner has been rapid. He turned pro earlier this year after a stellar college career at Auburn, where he won the Haskins Award as the nation’s top player. Now he has a tour win to his name, and perhaps a ticket to the Presidents Cup.
The 3M Open, always a popular stop on the tour, saw record crowds this year, many drawn by the prospect of watching Scheffler and the emergence of a new star. They were not disappointed. Koivun now holds the trophy, but the season continues.
