Koivun’s breakthrough win
Jackson Koivun claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, on Sunday. In only his third professional start, Koivun held off a late charge from top-ranked player Scottie Scheffler to win by three strokes. Koivun’s final round of 5-under 66 contributed to a tournament-record total of 25-under 259.
Koivun, who is 21 years old, acknowledged the pressure during his final round. He noted hearing crowd chants for Scheffler but focused on his own game. This mental fortitude was highlighted by Scheffler, who commented on Koivun’s talent and mental strength for a young player new to professional golf.
The win earned Koivun $1,584,000 and significantly improved his standing in the FedEx Cup. He jumped 124 spots to 70th place, placing him just inside the cut-off for the playoffs with two regular season events remaining.
Tournament performance and key moments
Koivun maintained a steady performance throughout the tournament, particularly during the final two rounds. He played bogey-free for the second consecutive day, following a 61 in the third round that gave him a three-shot lead after 54 holes. The conditions at the TPC Twin Cities on Sunday were warm, with temperatures reaching 97 degrees.
A crucial moment for Koivun came on the 9th green when he made a par-saving putt after his approach shot landed in the sand. He described this as potentially his most significant putt of the week, noting that it preserved his lead and maintained his momentum. The previous 3M Open record was held by Lee Hodges, who finished at 24-under 260 in 2023.
Scheffler, who started the final round six shots back, played five groups ahead of Koivun and made a strong push with a round of 63. Despite his excellent play, including a nearly flawless game, he settled for his fourth runner-up finish of the season. His only win this year was at The American Express in California.
Other notable finishers included Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Chandler Phillips, and Denny McCarthy, who all tied for third place at 20 under.
Koivun’s journey and equipment
Koivun’s victory marks him as the fourth rookie winner this season. Before this win, he had missed the cut at the John Deere Classic in Illinois and tied for 10th at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky earlier in the month. He also made 10 starts in tour events as an amateur.
Koivun attributes his success to his mental approach, stating that he believes his mentality allows him to compete effectively, even if he doesn’t always feel like the most talented player. He recently broke the NCAA career record for per-round stroke average with 68.89 and helped lead Auburn to a national championship last month.
Originally from San Jose, California, Koivun moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at age 17 and began his golf journey on a public nine-hole course. Following his victory, he shared an emotional moment with his father, George, on the course and then spoke with his mother, Meghan, via FaceTime, who expressed her pride.
Koivun’s equipment for his winning performance included a Titleist GT2 driver with a Fujikura Speeder 661 TR X shaft, a Titleist GTS3 Prototype 3-wood, and a set of Titleist T250 (3), Titleist T100 (4), and Titleist 620 MB Prototype (5-9) irons. His wedges were Titleist Vokey Design SM11 models, and he used a Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5R Tour Prototype putter with a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT grip. He played with a Titleist Pro V1 ball and used Golf Pride ZGrip Cord for his grips.
Scheffler noted the increasing preparedness of young players coming out of college, indicating a new generation of talent in the game. Koivun’s win at the 3M Open exemplifies this trend, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure in a professional setting.
Source: tsn.ca
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
