Jackson Koivun Shoots 25-Under 259 to Beat Scheffler at 3M Open

Jackson Koivun secured his first PGA Tour victory with a tournament-record 25-under 259 total, holding off a final-round 63 from Scottie Scheffler.

Jackson Koivun captured the 3M Open title on Sunday at TPC Twin Cities, finishing with a 5-under 66 to post a tournament-record total of 25-under 259. The 21-year-old rookie secured a three-stroke victory over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who surged into second place with a closing 8-under 63. Koivun earned $1,584,000 for the win, which came in only his third start as a professional golfer. The victory moved him 124 spots up the FedEx Cup standings into 70th place, the final qualifying position for the playoffs with two regular-season events remaining.

Scheffler finished at 22-under par for his fourth runner-up result of the season, despite beginning the final round six shots behind the leader. A four-way tie for third place at 20-under included Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Chandler Phillips, and Denny McCarthy. Koivun’s 72-hole score of 259 eclipsed the previous 3M Open scoring record of 24-under 260, which was established by Lee Hodges in 2023.

Bogey-Free Performance in Blaine

Playing in 97-degree heat, Koivun maintained his composure by recording his second consecutive bogey-free round. He entered Sunday with a three-shot cushion following a career-best 61 in the third round. A pivotal moment occurred on the ninth green, where Koivun’s approach shot landed in a greenside bunker. He successfully converted a par-saving putt to maintain his momentum heading into the back nine. At that stage, his lead had fluctuated from five shots down to two, making the save critical for his confidence.

Koivun extended his advantage late in the day, recording a birdie on the 16th hole to reach the 25-under mark. This occurred while Scheffler was finishing his post-round media obligations. Scheffler’s charge was slightly hindered on the 14th hole, where a 5-foot birdie attempt lipped out of the cup. The world's top-ranked player noted that the current crop of talent emerging from the college ranks appears more prepared for professional competition than previous generations.

Collegiate Success and Professional Transition

Before turning professional, Koivun attended Auburn University, where he helped lead the program to a national championship last month. He departed the amateur ranks holding the NCAA career record for per-round stroke average at 68.89. Despite his rapid success, Koivun’s professional debut was mixed; he missed the cut at the John Deere Classic in Illinois before securing a tie for 10th at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky earlier in July. He had previously made 10 starts on the PGA Tour as an amateur.

Koivun, who was born in San Jose, California, and relocated to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at age 17, learned the game on a public nine-hole course. He celebrated the victory on the 18th green with his father, George, and later spoke via FaceTime with his mother, Meghan. The rookie becomes the fourth first-year player to win on the PGA Tour this season, joining a list of young winners that Scheffler praised for their mental strength and immediate readiness for high-stakes competition.

FedEx Cup Playoff Implications

By climbing to 70th in the FedEx Cup standings, Koivun has placed himself inside the bubble for postseason play. His mentality has been a focal point of his development over the last two years, a trait he describes as a "superpower" that allows him to compete against players he perceives as more physically talented on the driving range. Scheffler acknowledged this mental fortitude, stating that winning for the first time is exceptionally difficult for a young player facing the pressure of a closing round lead.