Jackson Koivun, the world’s top amateur golfer, is preparing to make a significant impact on the PGA Tour upon turning professional next year. The talented golfer from Auburn University has already secured his PGA Tour card but has chosen to defer his entry to complete his studies. His impressive performance at the NCAA Championships, where he finished fourth in the stroke play portion, earned him sufficient points to surpass the 20 required to obtain his card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program.
Elite Skills and Future Prospects
Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner has praised Koivun’s exceptional putting skills, predicting that he will quickly rise to be one of the best putters on the tour. “Whenever Jackson Koivun joins the PGA Tour, he is instantly going to be among the very best putters on the PGA Tour,” Lavner stated. He highlighted Koivun’s remarkable consistency, noting that the 20-year-old secured four consecutive top-11 finishes in seven Official World Golf Ranking-recognized events this year.
Koivun’s talent has caught the attention of seasoned professionals, including LIV Golf star Phil Mickelson. His standout performance at the Procore Championship, where he finished tied for fourth and was only three strokes behind World No. 1 and tournament winner Scottie Scheffler, showcased his potential on a larger stage. Reflecting on his play, Koivun remarked, “Didn’t have a great start, not the start I was looking for, but was able to kind of turn it around midway through the round, make some birdies, make some putts, kind of flip the script and keep myself in contention.”
Exceptional Achievements and Learning Process
Despite being underage and unable to purchase alcohol, Koivun has already participated in seven competitive events in 2025, including the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational and the US Open. He is notable for being the first college golfer to win all four major collegiate awards in a single season: the Haskins Award, Jack Nicklaus Award, Ben Hogan Award, and Phil Mickelson Award.
Before the Procore Championship in 2025, Koivun had played on Silverado Resort’s North Course as a junior. He discussed the importance of the PGA Tour’s presence at the venue, saying, “It’s a little different. The routing was different when I played. It’s a great finishing stretch now.” He expressed confidence in his game, noting, “I felt very comfortable all day even after that start. Just again, like I said yesterday, it’s just learning everything I can.”
Koivun is only the third college golfer to earn a PGA Tour card through the accelerated program. His commitment to continuous improvement and learning positions him as a future star in the sport, with many anticipating his debut on the PGA Tour in 2026. As he prepares for the transition, his focus remains on honing his skills, particularly on the greens, where he has already demonstrated remarkable proficiency.
