A Historic Breakthrough
In a performance that confirms his status as golf’s next major talent, 21-year-old Jackson Koivun claimed victory at the 2026 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota. The win, achieved in just his third start as a PGA Tour professional, saw Koivun set a tournament scoring record of 25-under 259 at TPC Twin Cities.
Koivun, who entered the professional ranks via PGA Tour University Accelerated, finished three strokes ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. His path to victory was cemented during a dominant Saturday round where he carded a 61, tying the 3M Open’s 54-hole scoring record and building a significant cushion that held up against a late-round charge from the world’s top-ranked player.
The Final Duel
While Koivun led by six strokes heading into Sunday, the final round proved to be a test of mental fortitude. Scheffler, seeking his first win in 182 days, fired a final-round 63 to apply pressure. Koivun acknowledged the crowd’s chants of “Scottie’s coming!” but remained composed, playing the final 42 holes of the tournament bogey-free. A critical 15-foot par putt on the ninth hole and a driving birdie on the 16th ensured that Koivun would maintain his lead until the final green, where he secured the title with a 14-foot par putt.
“I think that shows not only how talented of a player he is, but I think the mental strength he has as well,” Scheffler said of his opponent’s performance.
A Rapid Ascent
Koivun’s victory is the culmination of a record-breaking amateur career. Last month, he led Auburn University to its second national championship in three years and became the first player in collegiate history to win all three major Player of the Year awards (Haskins, Hogan, Nicklaus) twice. His transition to the professional tour has been seamless; despite missing the cut at the John Deere Classic, he followed up with a T-10 finish at the ISCO Championship before capturing his maiden title in Minnesota.
Veteran PGA Tour pro Russell Henley, who has mentored Koivun, noted that the young golfer’s preparation and routine are already at an elite level. Koivun himself credits his success to a disciplined mental approach, noting that he writes the words “confidence,” “trust,” and “dominate” on his glove to maintain focus during competition.