Rookie Sensatation Koivun Relegates Scheffler To A Fifth Season Second Place After His Stunning Maiden Tour Title Victory.

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Super-talented Jackson Koivun is headed early next year to a maiden Masters appearance after his brilliant PGA Tour triumph at the 3M Open in Minnesota.

The 21-year-old Koivun superbly relegated World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to his fifth second place finish this season, posting a closing round 66 to capture a first PGA Tour triumph by three shots thanks to an ultra impressive 25-under tally.

Indeed, Koivun relegated three major champions into in also runs – Scheffler second at 22-under after his closing 63, Hideki Matsuyama signing for a 64 to share third at Brian Harman after his 65 on 20-under.’

“I played a great round of golf,” Koivun said. “Had some nerves coming down 18. All throughout the crowd I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming.’

“I just tried to tune that out and keep playing the golf I knew I could and was able to find some good putts coming down the stretch.”

Victory not only earned Koivun a two-year Tour exemption and also a whopping $1.584m first prize cheque but his maiden Masters invitation.

Not since the likes of Tiger Woods has a player burst onto the scene quite like the Auburn superstar, who recently decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility to join the PGA Tour earlier than initially planned.  While at Auburn, he became the first player in history to sweep all four major collegiate awards in the same year – the Haskins Award, Jack Nicklaus Award, Ben Hogan Award and Phil Mickelson Award.

Koivun made his PGA Tour debut in the 2024 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, having earned a spot through winning the Jack Nicklaus Award. He made the cut and earned his 15th point in the PGA Tour University Accelerated Program, five points shy of the 20-points that will earn him a PGA Tour card and join Gordon Sargent, the first golfer to reach the threshold.

The Indiana-born golfer announced just last month that he would forgo his senior year at Auburn University and turn professional following the 2026 U.S. Open.

He had earned PGA Tour status through the PGA Tour University accelerated program the previous year. By turning pro, he forfeited his exemption to the 2026 Open Championship for winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal.

Koivun made his professional debut at the 2026 John Deere Classic, where he missed the cut.  Now the World No. 206th had brilliantly landed an inaugural win at the 3M Open on 26th July 2026 in just a third event in the pro ranks.

Scheffler, who last tasted success on January 25th at the American Express, admitted he will rue his back nine on Friday and front nine on Saturday, which paused his charge. Still, Scheffler had to have been pleased with his statistical effort – again – as he begins to look ahead to the FedExCup Playoffs.

Although he fell just short of the winner’s circle, he gave the Minnesota faithful plenty to cheer about.

“This week was tremendous,” Scheffler said. “The fans were great this week, the tournament was really solid. Was able to do some good stuff and hear some cheers. It was definitely a lot of fun with the fans this week.”

Although Scheffler said Sunday he had yet to talk to Koivun, he knew of his impressive pedigree through college. Scheffler fell just short of Koivun on this day, but there will likely be plenty more Sunday showdowns to come.

“I haven’t been able to see it in person yet,” Scheffler said of Koivun’s game. “I’m looking forward to that.”

 

 



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