Who Is Jackson Koivun? The 21-Year-Old Who Beat Scottie Scheffler in His 3rd Pro Start

Jackson Koivun is a 21-year-old American professional golfer who won the 3M Open in only his third start as a pro — holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler with a tournament-record 25-under 259. A former Auburn star, he spent 56 weeks as the top-ranked amateur on the planet before turning pro, so the breakout was years in the making.

From San Jose to College Golf's Most Dominant Player

Koivun grew up in San Jose, California, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at age 17. He went on to Auburn University, where he didn't just play well he rewrote record books.

By the time he left, Koivun had racked up 11 career wins, the most in Auburn history and tied for seventh all-time in the NCAA. He also set the NCAA career record for per-round scoring average.

Most tellingly, he held the No. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 56 weeks - the third-longest run in history. That's not a hot streak. That's sustained, elite consistency.

Part of what sets him apart is temperament. Koivun has credited his mental game - the ability to grind out wins against strong fields - as the biggest reason his results kept climbing. On a Tour increasingly stacked with talented college graduates, that composure is what separates the good from the great.

Amateur résumé at a glance

• Weeks ranked World Amateur No. 1: 56 (third-longest ever)
• College wins: 11 (most in Auburn history)
• NCAA record: best career per-round scoring average
• Team highlight: helped lead Auburn to a national championship
• Path to the pros: earned his card through PGA Tour University Accelerated, well past the required points threshold

For anyone who watched college golf, a big pro moment felt less like an "if" and more like a "when."

The 3M Open: Beating the Best Player in the World

Koivun's breakthrough came at the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota - and the circumstances made it unforgettable.

He began the final round with a three-shot lead, and six clear of a charging Scottie Scheffler. On a course that gives up low scores, Scheffler applied pressure early and posted a brilliant closing 63.

But Koivun never buckled. He stuffed his opening approach to inches, stayed bogey-free across the weekend, and closed with a 66 to finish at a tournament-record 25-under 259 - a three-shot win over the world No. 1.

What made it more impressive was the pressure. Koivun later said he could hear the crowd murmuring "Scottie's coming" all afternoon, and simply tuned it out to play his own game. He'd even told his father before the round that he wished everyone would dial back the hype - he was just there to play golf. You can read the official PGA Tour recap or ESPN's report for the shot-by-shot detail.

It was his very first PGA Tour title — and he became one of just a handful of rookie winners that season.

Koivun vs. Scheffler at the 3M Open

The head-to-head shows just how big the moment was.

A 21-year-old with zero Tour wins outlasting the No. 1 player in the world, at record scoring, in his third start — that's why the golf world took notice.

What the Win Actually Earned Him

The trophy was only part of it. The win reshaped his entire season and calendar:

• A first prize of roughly $1.58 million
• A jump of about 124 spots in the FedExCup, into the top 70 — inside the playoff cutoff
• A rise into the top 75 of the Official World Golf Ranking
• Tour exemption through 2028 as a winner
• Spots secured in the following season's Masters, PGA Championship, and The Players Championship

In one afternoon, he went from promising rookie to a player with real security and a schedule full of the biggest events in the sport.

Who Is Jackson Koivun?

Who is Jackson Koivun?

A 21-year-old American pro golfer and former Auburn standout who won the 3M Open in his third career PGA Tour start.

Did he really beat Scottie Scheffler?

Yes - Scheffler shot a final-round 63 and still finished solo second, three shots behind Koivun.

How many PGA Tour wins does he have?

One so far: the 3M Open, his maiden victory.

Where did he go to college?

Auburn University, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history.

How old is Jackson Koivun?

He's 21.

Common Misconceptions About His Rise

Fast-rising stars attract lazy narratives. Here's what to keep straight:

• "He's an overnight success." He was the world's No. 1 amateur for more than a year.
• "Beating Scheffler was a fluke." His record-setting scoring average suggested this was coming.
• "The field must've been weak." The world No. 1 was right there, and Koivun still set the tournament scoring record.
• "Amateur dominance guarantees pro success." It usually doesn't — which is what makes an instant Tour win so notable.
• "He's just another young name." Few players ever spend 56 weeks atop the amateur ranking.