Jackson Koivun, a 21‑year‑old newcomer to the PGA Tour, managed to fend off a late surge from world number one Scottie Scheffler and secured his first Tour title at the 3M Open in Minnesota. The win came in only his third start as a professional, and he finished three strokes clear of the field, posting a total of 25‑under‑par, which also set a new tournament scoring record.
Koivun’s final round was a composed five‑under‑30‑shot 66. Earlier in the day, Scheffler, who has been searching for his first victory since winning the American Express tournament in January, produced a blistering eight‑under‑63 to post a clubhouse total of 22‑under‑par. The pressure from the top‑ranked American was palpable, but Koivun remained steady and ultimately held the line. The youngster had already built a comfortable cushion after the third round, sitting three shots ahead of seasoned competitors Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles.
That advantage was earned with a remarkable bogey‑free 61, which was ten strokes under par and featured two eagles and four birdies on an eight‑under back nine. The performance was a clear indicator that Koivun possessed the ability to go low in a tournament setting.
Sunday’s round was less dramatic than the previous day, yet Koivun’s composure never wavered. He played a flawless round, avoiding any mistakes and finishing with a par on the final hole.
By doing so, he not only clinched the title but also cemented the 3M Open’s new record of 25‑under‑par for the tournament. His weekend was virtually blemish‑free, with just three bogeys across four days and a staggering 24 birdies, including the two eagles he posted on Saturday. Koivun’s path to this triumph began with a solid amateur career, during which he competed in ten PGA Tour events as an amateur.
He turned professional after the U.S. Open in June. His professional debut at the John Deere Classic ended in a missed cut, but he quickly rebounded with a tied‑10th finish at the ISPS Handa Championship.
The momentum continued at TPC Twin Cities, where he displayed a balanced blend of power and precision that hinted at a bright future. The victory propelled Koivun up 124 spots in the FedExCup rankings, moving him to 70th place and securing the final playoff berth with two regular‑season events still to play. In his post‑victory interview, he admitted that nerves crept in during the final stretch: "I definitely had some nerves coming down the 18th. I heard the crowd chanting, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming,’ but I tried to block that out and focus on the golf I know I can play.
I found some good putts down the stretch." He also expressed gratitude to his family, saying, "I love this game; it’s everything I do. It was love at first sight, and I want to thank my parents for getting me into golf and supporting me throughout my journey." Sky Sports analyst Simon Holmes offered high praise, describing Koivun as "turbocharged and ready to perform immediately." Holmes noted that Koivun possesses a strong media presence and the potential to attract a large fan base. He compared Koivun to other successful college‑produced players such as Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland, suggesting that Koivun is at least on par with those stars, if not a step ahead in certain aspects. Holmes highlighted the balance of Koivun’s skill set: "Spieth had exceptional putting but a less powerful driver; Morikawa excelled with his irons.
Koivun, however, combines a fantastic driver—he can hit from the middle of the fairway—with superb iron control. His short game is also elite; he can chip like a Houdini." According to Holmes, the most impressive elements of Koivun’s game are his putting and his mental approach. "He sees himself at the top of the pyramid, and that belief drives his performance.
The best parts of his game are his putting and his mindset. He expects to reach the summit, and I believe he will." Looking ahead, Koivun’s victory positions him as a player to watch for the remainder of the season and beyond. With a powerful driver, precise iron play, creative short‑game skills, and a calm, confident mindset, he has the tools to contend in majors and become a regular fixture at the top of the world rankings.
Fans can continue to follow Koivun’s progress through Sky Sports’ coverage, including live broadcasts of upcoming events such as the PGA Tour’s Rocket Classic. The network also offers streaming options via the NOW platform, allowing viewers to watch without a contract. For those interested in playing the game themselves, Sky Sports provides a booking service for over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, making it easy to experience golf firsthand. In summary, Jackson Koivun’s breakthrough at the 3M Open demonstrates that age and experience are not barriers to success on the PGA Tour.
His blend of power, precision, and poise, combined with a supportive background and a clear vision for his future, suggest that this rising star is only beginning to make his mark on professional golf.