A unique fishing celebration for first-time tour winners is going viral
In the first two rounds of Jackson Koivun’s PGA Tour win at the 2026 3M Open, one feature of the course at TPC Twin Cities has given the youngster the upper hand: the lake guarding the par-5 18th hole.
After collecting the first victory of his burgeoning career, however, Koivun chose that lake as the place to celebrate after a unique win: some sunset fishing.
Jackson Koivun overcomes 18th hole jitters to win 3M Open
While Koivun put on a clinic at TPC Twin Cities all week, he didn’t make his green on the par-5 closing hole.
In the opening round, the 21-year-old almost hit his 18-year-old drive into the pond that runs to the right of the hole. From lying in the rugged area near the end of the water, he could only save a measure.
On Friday, Koivun’s tee shot on 18 found the pond, resulting in a penalty stroke and a bogey-6.
Although he shook off those memories and hit the 18th fairway on Saturday, which resulted in a closing eagle that gave him a big 54-hole lead, his experience over the first two days left him worried on Sunday when he arrived at the 18th with the championship on the line.
“I didn’t play very well on 18 except yesterday, I didn’t hit the best drives. I didn’t hit the best drives today, but it worked out. I think if I went through that drive on 18 and got it down there in the fairway, we definitely felt a little pressure,” said Koivun in his press conference on Sunday evening.
Although he passed the 18th shot unscathed, Koivun clarified that it was after his last putt dropped that the emotions came “down” for him.
“Yes, on 18 I had a few feelings and I just put it there. Then I knew where I stood and what I had to do to ensure the victory. But you don’t really feel like you’re going to win until you make the putt and that’s how all the emotions come to you,” Koivun explained on Sunday. “I think I did a really good job this week of staying on top, but I felt like that was the right time to show some emotion.”
Koivun fishes the 18th-hole pond after winning the 3M Open
One of Koivun’s first actions after his win was to hug his father, who was there, while his mother was stuck in North Carolina.
“I’m so grateful to my parents for everything they’ve done for me these 21 years. I really wish my mom could be here today, but she’s still going back to North Carolina and I’m sure I’ll see her soon. I think she’s coming next week. Having my dad there and hugging him at the end of the day was probably the best feeling,” Koivun said.
But Koivun soon involved the mother in the celebration, sharing a video call with her shortly after.
“She was crying,” Koivun said, describing her phone call with her mother. “I was trying to get a little bit of what he was saying, but he kept saying how proud he was.
At the end of his Sunday press conference, a reporter asked Koivun how he planned to celebrate, and he replied, “I’m not sure yet, but I’m sure we’ll find what we can.”
And find something to do. Shortly after his presser ended, Koivun was handed a fishing rod, and headed to the lake on the 18th hole that he had battled with all week.
Cameras were there to catch him making a splash in the pool as the moon rises over the closing hole of the TPC Twin Cities and appears over the pool, which you can watch here or below. Some reports argue that there are “No Fishing” signs scattered around the Minnesota course, so there should be a special exception for 3M Open winners.
For the bass anglers out there, it appears that Koivun has been throwing the conversation out of the trailer, but his lure of choice remains unconfirmed.
