Jackson Koivun is only 21 years old, but he is a young man who projects calm and speaks like a veteran. His visit to the US Open press room was eagerly awaited, as his amateur career is above average. Last week he announced that he would turn professional after this tournament, joining the PGA Tour through its university program, but the truth is that he could have done so last year if he had wanted to.
Koivun could have made the jump to the big leagues earlier, but he still didn’t see himself in the rhythm of a professional. “I think my golf level was good. I just think I wasn’t ready to leave college, and mentally I wasn’t prepared for the possible difficulties, the travel, and all that. Taking another year to process it was good for me, and now I’m definitely ready,” he explained during his press conference.
He is the highest-ranked amateur in the world and this season, as a junior at Auburn University, he competed in 13 tournaments and won six. The Tigers—as his university team is known—have just won their second national title in three years. Jackson is the first player in the history of college golf to win all three player of the year awards (Haskins, Hogan, Nicklaus) more than once. His achievements are numerous.
Although it may seem unbelievable, there are many eyes on Koivun this week, not because he is a serious contender for victory, but because he has proven to be a golfer far too advanced for his age. After an extra year as a student “to grow as a person, mentally and physically,” he arrives at Shinnecock Hills, one of the most difficult courses there can be in a US Open. Last year he already went through the experience in another trial by fire, Oakmont, where he missed the cut by one shot. His performance was undoubtedly very impressive, and this season he at least knows what he is up against.
The mentality of the young prospect is a winning one: “Obviously, in any tournament I’m going to try to win, but without putting too much pressure on myself and accepting that this isn’t a sport where you win every week.” After standout breakthroughs in recent years like those of Aberg or Gotterup, Koivun is seen as a future great star of American golf, while awaiting young Miles Russell, who at 17 also qualified for the tournament.
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