In the realm of golf, a new champion is stirring the waters. Jackson Koivun, an amateur golfer, is not just making waves but an absolute tsunami in the sport. With an aim set firmly on securing a PGA Tour card, Koivun is following in the illustrious footsteps of PGA Tour professionals who have blazed the trail before him.
Born to Meghan and George Koivun on May 23, 2005, in San Jose, California, Jackson Koivun’s journey to the greens started early – courtesy of his father. As a young boy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Jackson found his first competitor in his father. By the tender age of seven, he was already winning against him, marking the beginning of a historic golf journey that would continue into his junior career.
As a junior golfer, Koivun’s talent shone brightly. At just 17, he claimed victory at the Rolex Tournament of Champions, followed by another triumph at the Dustin Johnson World Juniors the next year. These victories, along with multiple top 10 finishes at prestigious events such as the 2022 Wyndham Invitational, Junior Players Championship, and 2023 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, helped him earn the title of No. 1 recruit by the AJGA and No.3 by Golf Channel.
Koivun’s amateur career, which kicked off at Auburn University, has been nothing short of remarkable. As a freshman, he recorded one of the best seasons in the history of the sport, sweeping the Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson national awards in one fell swoop. His 69.48 scoring average, 28 subpar rounds, 12 top-10 finishes, 176 birdies, and 8 victories in 13 participations are testament to his dominant presence on the golf course.
Koivun’s journey to professional golf took an epic turn in 2024 when he made his debut at the PGA Tour as an amateur in the Memorial Tournament. He continued to make significant strides, earning a point at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2025, bringing him tantalizingly close to the PGA Tour card. Now, all eyes are on him as he stands on the threshold of securing a tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated Program.
Presently, Koivun has gathered 18 points towards the 20-point requirement for the PGA Tour card, thanks to his performance, awards, finishes, and ranking during his collegiate years. With an upcoming participation at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he could well be the next player to secure a PGA Tour card after Luke Clanton. However, the question remains: Will he secure the crucial two points at this signature event, or will he have to bide his time? Only time, and his performance, will tell.
Throughout this exhilarating journey, Koivun’s mother, Meghan, has been his rock, standing by his side and cheering him on. Reflecting on her son’s achievements, she remarked, “We’re running on adrenaline, but it’s been very special.” Indeed, Koivun’s journey has been nothing short of a Marvel adventure, fitting for a Guardians of the Galaxy fan like him.
As the world watches with bated breath, Jackson Koivun is proving that he is not just a prodigy, but a force to be reckoned with in the world of golf. With his exceptional talent and determination, there’s little doubt that he’ll carve out a space for himself in the annals of golf history.
