GOLF: Jackson Koivun wins first PGA Tour title at 3M Open

Rookie Jackson Koivun quickly proved he belongs on the PGA Tour, capturing his first career title at the 3M Open on Sunday with a dominant performance at TPC Twin Cities.

Koivun carded a 5-under-par 66 to hold off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and finish with a three-shot victory. The 21-year-old ended the tournament at 25-under 259, while Scheffler closed with a bogey-free 63 to finish second.

“Definitely had some nerves coming down on 18,” Koivun said. “All throughout the crowd I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming.’ I just tried to tone that out and keep playing the golf I knew I could.”

The victory came less than two months after Koivun helped Auburn win its second NCAA championship in three years. Playing in only his third tournament since turning professional, Koivun showed remarkable composure by completing the final two rounds without recording a bogey.

“I just love this game. I love golf, it’s everything I do,” Koivun said. “I have a tough time getting away from it. Like I said, it’s been love at first sight.”

Denny McCarthy (66), Brian Harman (65), Chandler Phillips (67), and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (64) tied for third place at 20-under.

Scheffler, competing in the 3M Open for the first time, made a late charge with three straight birdies to start the back nine and added birdies on Nos. 16 and 18. However, Koivun responded with a birdie on the 16th hole to restore his three-stroke advantage with two holes remaining.

“Depending on how Jackson played, I knew I was going to need a really low number regardless,” Scheffler said. “I wanted to get something really low on the front nine and kind of put myself on the leaderboard. I didn’t quite have that.”

Scheffler also admitted he had not yet seen Koivun play.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Scheffler said.

Koivun entered the final round with momentum after taking control during Saturday’s back nine. He continued his strong form on Sunday, hitting an approach shot on the first hole that spun back to within 2 feet of the cup for an easy birdie. Another birdie on No. 4 extended his lead to five strokes.

He finished with birdies on both par-5 holes early in the round and did not need a final-hole birdie to secure the victory.

Jake Knapp fired an early 62 to climb the leaderboard and finish tied for 13th at 16-under. His round included seven consecutive birdies and a back-nine score of 28, matching a tournament record set by Koivun the previous day.

“On the back nine, I just drove it a little bit better and I wedged it really well,” Knapp said. “That was the main thing and that was kind of the main focus coming into these last few weeks.”

Defending champion Kurt Kitayama shot a 68 and finished tied for 24th at 13-under.

—Field Level Media/Reuters