Rising star Jackson Koivun leads the 3M Open but Scottie Scheffler is in hiding
When Scottie Scheffler chipped in for birdie on Saturday’s 18th hole — the final shot of a seven-under 64 — he made it seven-under for the first place and officially changed the narrative of the 3M Open.
Eighty minutes later, Jackson Koivun rewrote it.
Koivun fired a 10-under 61 — including a record eight-under 28 on the back nine — and at 20 under holds the 54-hole lead at TPC Twin Cities. Long regarded as the best player in the game, the 21-year-old coach now has his best chance to prove it. He enters Sunday with a three-shot lead over Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles. Koivun and Grillo make the final pairing and depart at 1:40 pm ET on Sunday. Scheffler returned six.
“I feel good,” said Koivun. “I’m happy, I’m ready for the future. It will definitely be a test. I’m sure more pins will be added and we have a lot of good players behind me, but I’ll stick to my game plan and try to smile.”
Koivun was the top freshman in the class of 2023, signed with Auburn and put together one of the best freshman seasons in history. He became the first college player to win all four major awards – the Phil Mickelson (freshman), Haskins, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus awards – and won the Haskins, Hogan and Nicklaus awards again this year. He turned 21 in May, helped Auburn to its second NCAA team title in three years in June and turned pro a few weeks later.
This week marks his 13th career start on the PGA Tour but just his third as a professional. In those past points he has finished in the top 25 six times and in the top three.
Before Koivun lifted the leaderboard on Saturday, Scheffler made a move. He started the day seven under and seven behind 36-hole leader Michael Kim, who shot a 59 on Friday. Scheffler was at par on nine – two birdies, two bogeys – but got hot after the turn.
Scheffler birdied 10, 11, 12 and 15, then on 16, a short par-4, he chipped in for eagle.
Scheffler’s final birdie came on the 5th 18th. He was 36 feet away for eagle – a putt if he had made it would have given him a record ninth (28) – but Scheffler missed the high side and enjoyed a birdie.
“I kept myself in the tournament with a good back 9 today,” said Scheffler. “Overall I’m happy with the back 9, but I’ll probably need another lower number tomorrow if I want to keep the pace.”
Just an hour later, Koivun was the one who got that record 28.
He was nine to eight before, but bogeyed 9 and 10 and took the lead on 12 when he hit a 305-yard 3-wood into the middle of the green and made a 12-foot eagle putt.
He made 13 birdies, bogeyed 16, made another on 17 and then rolled in a 14-footer for eagle on 18 – his second in seven holes.
He is now in position for his first victory on the PGA Tour. It didn’t take long to get to this position, but now comes the hard part – getting rid of someone like Scheffler chasing.
“He’s obviously the best in the world for a reason,” Koivun said. “I’m sure he’ll go up there and put up a good number and be in contention.”
