Young pros who have only competed a handful of times on the PGA Tour don’t do this. Or at least they didn’t used to. They shouldn’t shoot 61 in the third round of an $8.8 million tournament, and do it with two eagles, including one on the closing holes.
But the Young Guns of today are making some of their predecessors who owned that title look like pretenders, because every week it seems one of them is high on the leaderboard of a non-signature event, pushing for a breakthrough win.
Advertisement
And it should come as no surprise that Jackson Koivun might beat them all to that first trophy lift. Uber talented, battle-tested and brimming with a pronounced confidence, the former World Amateur No. 1 and Auburn star is the alpha dog in his young pack, and he did fire a two-eagle, 10-under-par 61 on Saturday to take a three-shot lead into the final round of the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minn.
“I’m feeling great. Excited, ready for tomorrow,” Koivun said. “It’s going to be definitely a test tomorrow. I’m sure some of the pins will be tucked and we’ve got a lot of great players behind me, but just going to stick to my game plan and try to smile.”
On Sunday, the 21-year-old who wrapped up his college career in early June will try to secure his first tour victory in only his third start as a pro. He’s been on a quick upward trajectory. After tying for 23rd in the U.S. Open while playing as an amateur, Koivin missed the cut in his debut at the John Deere but then finished T-10 in last week’s ISCO Championship while the biggest names played in the Open Championship.
Koivun opened this week with a 64, then scored 68 on Friday when Michael Kim shot a 59. On Saturday, Koivun blew past everyone by shooting 28 on the back nine with eagles at the 12th and 18th holes to get to a 20-under total. Kim could only shoot 70 and fell five shots back, while World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler rallied with a back-nine 29 to be on the cusp of title contention with a 64 that put him at 14 under.
Advertisement
Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles each shot 65 in the third round to be Koivun’s closest pursuers at three behind.
Koivun was asked after his round what it was like to be looking down the board at the four-time major winner, Scheffler.
“He’s obviously the best in the world for a reason, and I’m sure he’s going to go up there and put a good number and get in contention,” Koivun said.
Koivun’s back-nine charge on Saturday was something to behold. After a birdie on 10, the fireworks began at the par-5 12th when Koivun hammered his 3-wood approach 305 yards to 12 feet to make his first eagle. He made a 24-foot birdie putt on the par-3 13th, but two pars reminded him to “keep the foot on the gas.”
Advertisement
“At 12 and 13 I saw myself at No. 1 [on the leaderboard] and I make two pars and I’m back to T-1,” Koivun said. “Which is kind of a mental reset going into 16, 17, 18.”
He shot four under over those last three holes, with birdies from 12 and seven feet before he reached the 596-yard par-5 18th in two and drained a 13-footer for eagle.
“Just hit three great shots that I was really happy with and just happy that putt went in,” Koivun said.
The course setup on Sunday will determine how low Koivun’s chasers can go on Sunday. There are plenty within striking distance, with 11 who are six shots or closer to the lead.
Advertisement
Not among them is Muzzy Donohue, the Minnesota native and sponsor’s invite who is playing in his first PGA Tour event. Donohue, who was playing this week after the death of his grandmother on Monday, got into contention on Friday by shooting 63, but dropped far back with a 73 in the third round.
Read the full article here
