Jackson Koivun Triumphs at PGA Tour’s 3M Open

At just 21 years old, Jackson Koivun has achieved a significant milestone in his professional golf career. After only 24 days as a pro, he claimed victory at the PGA Tour’s 3M Open, held at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. By defeating Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, Koivun proved his potential in a dramatic fashion.

Koivun delivered an impressive performance in the final round, shooting a 5-under to achieve a 25-under overall score, securing the tournament win. Meanwhile, despite Scheffler’s strong 8-under final round, he finished three strokes behind Koivun, who rapidly ascended as a promising name in golf.

On Saturday, Koivun moved himself into contention by shooting a tournament-record 10-under 61 during the third round, reaching a 20-under total. His back-nine score of 28 was particularly noteworthy, setting a record for those holes. Determination was evident in his final round, commencing with a 3-under score through the first six holes.

Throughout his performance, Koivun maintained focus, adding two birdies on the back-nine and concluded with a bogey-free round, emphasizing his growth in his nascent PGA Tour journey. For his triumph, Koivun earned a $1.584 million prize, marking what he hopes is the first of many wins.

Reflecting on his win, Koivun stated, “All throughout the crowd, I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming,’ but I tried to ignore it and focus on my game.” This focus was pivotal against Scheffler, who notably pushed through the leaderboard, particularly showing strength with his putter on the back-nine.

Koivun maintained composure, achieving par on his final two holes, including the crucial par-5 18th. His victory was cemented with a satisfying final putt, and he celebrated the moment with a fist pump.

Winning comes as no surprise to Koivun, recognized previously as a top amateur. Yet, this PGA Tour victory holds a distinct significance for him. “I just love this game. I love golf, it’s everything I do. I have a tough time getting away from it,” Koivun shared, indicating a deep passion for his career.