Jackson Koivun didn’t waste any time proving the hype was real.
A month after announcing he would turn pro and join the PGA Tour, the 21-year-old delivered his first victory on Sunday in only his third start as a professional. He did it by taking down Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, by three shots. Hideki Matsuyama and Brian Harman, both major champions, were among the players who finished five back in a tie for third.
Koivun closed with a five-under 66 and finished at a tournament-record 25-under par, a number that tells the story of how thoroughly he controlled the week. He had already built a reputation for being nearly impossible to beat in college, where he led Auburn to two national titles, won 11 individual events and collected every award a player could win. On Sunday, he looked every bit like the same player, only now on the biggest stage.
Scheffler made a late push with an eight-under 63 and birdied the par-5 18th, but Koivun never blinked. The crowd kept reminding him all day that “Scottie's comin' ...
Scottie's comin',” and Koivun said afterward, “All throughout the crowd I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming. Scottie's coming,’” Koivun said after his win.
“I just tried to tune that out and keep playing the golf I knew I could.”
Scheffler came away impressed.
“Anytime you’re trying to win for the first time, it’s awfully difficult, especially for a young guy coming out of college,” Scheffler said. “I think that shows not only how talented of a player he is, but the mental strength he has as well.”
That mental edge was a big part of Koivun’s week. He said he’s been sharpening that side of his game over the last couple of years, and it showed in the way he handled the pressure of the weekend, when he went 61-65 to beat some of the best players in the world.
“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better over the past couple years of being able to beat guys with my mentality,” Koivun said. “Sometimes I watch guys hit on the range and I don’t feel like I’m the most talented out there, but if I can go out there and believe and use my brain to my advantage, then that’s definitely kind of like a superpower.”
He also has the kind of shot-making that turns heads fast. On Saturday, his three-wood on the par-5 12th set up an eagle that gave him the lead, a shot that will live on his highlight reel for a long time. The 305-yard approach was one of the defining swings of the tournament.
The win also changes Koivun’s immediate outlook. He moved up to 70th in the FedEx Cup standings, right on the cutoff line for the PGA Tour playoff events that begin in the middle of August. If he gets in, he should matter there.
And there’s another door that should open now, too: the Presidents Cup. Koivun would need to be a captain’s choice to make the team, but Brandt Snedeker would be smart to go that route. Koivun looks built for team events like the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, and September’s matchup against the International Team at Medinah would be a natural place to start building that experience.
After the round, Koivun celebrated in a way that fit the moment and his age: by fishing in the pond in front of the 18th green. For a player who just announced himself as a PGA Tour winner, it was a fittingly calm finish to a breakout week.