Jackson Koivun

Jackson Koivun is an American professional golfer who won the 2026 3M Open in only his third PGA Tour start. He was born on May 23, 2005, in San Jose, California, and grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He beat World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by three strokes at a tournament-record 25-under par. His story from public-course beginner to Tour champion shows what elite mentality can achieve.

Jackson Koivun Personal Details

Physical Appearance

Early Life

Jackson Koivun was born in San Jose, California, before his family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His father George introduced him to golf at a very young age on a public nine-hole course at Santa Teresa Golf Club. He reportedly beat his father for the first time when he was just seven years old. That competitive fire stayed with him every step of the way.

By high school, Koivun was training seriously at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club under coach Fred Garcia. He rose quickly through junior ranks and earned the No. 1 recruit ranking in the 2023 class by the AJGA. College offers poured in from top programs across the country. Those early years on a humble public course built the foundation for a historic career.

Education

Koivun chose Auburn University over programs like Duke and North Carolina, two of the most prestigious golf schools in the country. He pursued business studies while delivering one of the most celebrated collegiate golf careers in the sport’s history. His time at Auburn shaped his discipline, mentality, and readiness for professional competition.

Family

Jackson Koivun comes from a family that supported his passion for golf from his earliest years. His father George introduced him to the game and has been present at nearly every major milestone along the way. At the 2026 3M Open, George was near the 18th green when his son made the winning putt. Jackson later called that hug with his dad one of the best feelings of his life.

His mother Meghan Koivun watched the 3M Open victory from their home in North Carolina and appeared on FaceTime almost immediately after. Jackson said she was crying and kept telling him how proud she was. He described both parents as his rocks who made every part of the journey possible. Their steady belief carried him through years of training and sacrifice.

Jackson Koivun’s Professional Career

Koivun’s college career at Auburn set the stage for everything that followed. He won 11 individual titles, set the NCAA career scoring average record at 68.89, and led Auburn to national team championships in 2024 and 2026. He was named SEC Player of the Year three straight years and became the first player to sweep the Haskins, Hogan, and Nicklaus Awards twice. He also reached the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before turning pro.

He accepted PGA Tour membership through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program and made his professional debut at the John Deere Classic. Before that, he closed his amateur career at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, finishing as co-low amateur with a final-round 68. Sponsor exemptions from the previous summer had already given him a feel for Tour competition. He arrived at his pro debut ready rather than nervous.

In just his third professional start, Koivun won the 2026 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities with a tournament-record 25-under par. He held off World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who posted a charging final-round 63, by staying calm and committed to every shot down the stretch. He had written “Confidence. Trust. Dominate.” on his glove, a mindset phrase he developed with short game coach Josh Gregory at Auburn. The win gave him a two-year Tour exemption and moved him into FedExCup playoff contention.

Jackson Koivun Profiles

Lesser Known Facts About Jackson Koivun

• Koivun reportedly beat his father at golf for the first time when he was only seven years old, starting his love of competition.
• He learned the game on a public nine-hole par-3 course, not at a private club like many elite junior golfers.
• His 2026 3M Open win made him the youngest American to win a PGA Tour event by multiple strokes in 94 years.
• During Saturday’s third round at the 3M Open, he shot a back-nine 28 and posted a stunning round of 61.
• He tuned out crowd chants of “Scottie’s coming” during the final round and focused entirely on his own game plan.
• He celebrated his first Tour victory by fishing in the pond near the 18th green, a moment that went viral online.
• He chose Auburn over Duke and North Carolina, two schools historically known as elite destinations for top junior golfers.
• He represented Team USA in the Junior Presidents Cup, Arnold Palmer Cup, and Walker Cup as an amateur.
• His glove message “Confidence. Trust. Dominate.” came from a phrase he developed with his short game coach during his junior year at Auburn.

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