One tournament win has transformed Jackson Koivun from an unknown rookie into a legitimate contender on the PGA Tour — and it may be enough to earn him a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Koivun captured the 3M Open on Sunday in Minnesota, just his third professional start since turning pro. The 21-year-old, who was the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world before going pro, finished at 25 under par at TPC Twin Cities and edged World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler by three shots.
The victory comes with significant rewards beyond the trophy. Koivun secured a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and earned an invitation to the Masters, while also thrusting himself into the playoff picture.
Koivun surged 124 positions in the FedEx Cup standings, landing at No. 70 — exactly the last qualifying spot for the opening playoff event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Two weeks remain in the regular season.
His new ranking puts him ahead of several well-known players who would currently miss the playoffs, including Australia’s Jason Day at No. 74, Keegan Bradley at No. 76, Brooks Koepka at No. 84, and Tony Finau at No. 87.
The win also produced a dramatic jump in the Official World Golf Ranking. Koivun climbed from No. 206 all the way to No. 73. His rise began even before turning pro — when he entered the U.S. Open as an amateur, he was ranked No. 260. Making the cut and tying for 23rd there moved him to No. 217, and a tie for 10th at the ISCO Championship pushed him a bit further before Sunday’s breakthrough.
Before joining the professional ranks, Koivun built an impressive college resume at Auburn, where he was a three-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, a three-time All-American, and a two-time national champion. He made his professional debut at the John Deere Classic in early July.
