How a college freshman rewrote the record books of professional golf

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2024, Jackson Koivun achieved something unprecedented in collegiate golf. By sweeping every major individual award in a single season, the Auburn University standout signaled the arrival of a new era, eventually transitioning from a record-breaking amateur to a PGA Tour winner in just two years.

Jackson Koivun's ascent began with a historic freshman campaign at Auburn University in 2024. During that season, he became the first player to simultaneously win the Haskins, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Phil Mickelson awards. His dominance was reflected in his statistics: he maintained a 67.3 adjusted scoring average and led Auburn to its first NCAA Division I Men's Individual Championship and a national team title. Beyond his individual accolades, he earned SEC Player of the Year honors three times and secured two NCAA team championships. His freshman season was so impactful that he was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year.

His collegiate career was defined by breaking long-standing benchmarks. In February 2026, during the Amer Ari Invitational, Koivun posted back-to-back rounds of 62. This performance shattered the NCAA 36-hole record of 18-under par, a mark previously held by Tiger Woods since the 1996 Pac-10 Championship. He also became the first player in NCAA history to record two rounds of 62 or lower in a single event. This incredible run included a 25-under par score at the Amer Ari Invitational, which established a new 54-hole scoring record for Auburn. He also joined an elite group of golfers, such as Jon Rahm and Ludwig Aberg, by winning the Ben Hogan Award twice.

Koivun's transition to the professional ranks was remarkably swift. After winning the 3M Open in July 2026—his first PGA Tour victory—he defeated world number one Scottie Scheffler by three strokes. His tournament victory was highlighted by a record-breaking 25-under 259 total score. By September 2026, despite having started the year without a tour card, he was selected as a captain's pick for the United States Presidents Cup team, where he remained the only undefeated U.S. player during the competition. His victory at the 3M Open featured a remarkable third-round 61, which included a tournament-record 28 on the back nine. This performance helped him finish the season as the first golfer since Jordan Spieth to play in the Presidents Cup without a tour card.

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