Jackson Koivun holds off Scheffler to win 3M Open in third professional start

1 hour ago 2

The rookie Jackson Koivun shot a five-under-par 66 to stave off a charging Scottie Scheffler and win ⁠on the PGA Tour for the first time at the 3M Open on Sunday at Blaine, ⁠Minnesota.

Koivun, 21, finished ⁠at ​25 under for a three-shot victory on Scheffler, who closed with a 63 at TPC Twin ⁠Cities. Less than two months ago, Koivun was helping Auburn to its second NCAA championship in a three-year ⁠stretch. He demonstrated more poise while playing the final two rounds ​of his third tournament ‌since turning pro ‌without carding a bogey.

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

The world No 1, Scheffler, birdied three consecutive holes to begin the back nine as part of his bogey-free round. He birdied No 16 and 18, leaving him trailing by two strokes. Koivun then ‌birdied 16, extending the margin to three strokes with two holes to play.

Koivun, a three-time player ​of the year in the Southeastern Conference, surged into the lead across the final nine holes on Saturday and then went right to work on Sunday, with his approach shot on the first hole spinning ⁠back to within two feet of the cup for ​an easy birdie ​putt. A birdie on ​No 4 pushed his lead to five strokes, with ​Scheffler among ‌five golfers tied ​for second ​place at the time.

skip past newsletter promotion

Jake Knapp shot an early 62 to rise quickly on the leaderboard and finish at 16 under, tying for 13th. The defending champion, Kurt Kitayama (68), finished tied for 24th at 13 under.

Read Entire Article