Rising Golf Star Jackson Koivun Wins 3M Open in Third Professional Start

2026-07-27 companies

Blaine, Monday, 27 July 2026.
In just his third professional start, 21-year-old Jackson Koivun won the 3M Open, holding off world number one Scottie Scheffler to claim a $1.58 million payout.

A Record-Breaking Triumph at TPC Twin Cities

The 21-year-old rising star, who turned professional in June 2026 after leading Auburn University to an NCAA national championship [2][6], delivered a historic performance at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota [2][4][5][6]. Jackson Koivun set a new tournament scoring record by finishing at 25-under-par 259 [2][3][6]. This remarkable score surpassed the previous 3M Open tournament record of 24-under 260, which was established by Lee Hodges in 2023 [6]. While some official tournament accounts list the victory date as July 25, 2026 [2][5][6], the tournament’s final round concluded on Sunday, July 26, 2026 [1][3][5][6] [alert! ‘Sources conflict on the exact calendar day of the final round, citing both July 25 and July 26, 2026’].

Holding Off the World Number One

Koivun’s path to victory was far from easy, as he had to withstand a fierce charge from World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler [6]. Scheffler, who started the final round six strokes behind the leader [4][6], shot a strong final round to finish solo second at 22-under par [2][3][6]. Koivun, who held a three-shot lead entering the final round after shooting a spectacular 10-under-par 61 on Saturday [4][5], managed to keep his composure despite hearing chants from the crowd warning him of Scheffler’s rapid ascent up the leaderboard [6]. Koivun relied heavily on his mental game, later describing his strategic and focused mindset as his personal ‘superpower’ on the course [6].

Analyzing the Financial Stakes

The tournament, sponsored by industrial conglomerate 3M (NYSE: MMM) [GPT], featured a substantial total prize purse of $8,800,000 [2][3][4]. Out of this multi-million dollar pool, Koivun claimed a first-place prize of $1,584,000 [2][3][4], which represents exactly 18 percent of the total purse. Meanwhile, Scheffler’s second-place finish secured him $959,200 [2][3][4]. This payout pushed Scheffler’s official season earnings to nearly $17,000,000, a massive sum built on the foundation of one victory and five runner-up finishes over the course of the season [3].

Broad Distribution of the Purse

The financial rewards of the 2026 3M Open extended well beyond the top two positions. A four-way tie for third place between Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Denny McCarthy, and Chandler Phillips saw each player take home $429,550 [2][3]. Further down the payout structure, Davis Thompson and Emiliano Grillo tied for seventh place, with each earning $286,000 [3]. These high-stakes payouts highlight the robust commercial health and corporate sponsorship strength of the PGA Tour, even as it navigates evolving media rights and shifting financial dynamics [GPT].

FedExCup Implications and What Lies Ahead

This inaugural PGA Tour victory has profound implications for Koivun’s professional trajectory and standing. The win propelled him 124 spots up the FedExCup standings, moving him from a previous rank of 194 to 70th [6]. This crucial jump positions him directly in contention for the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs, which are scheduled to commence on August 8, 2026 [2]. Prior to his historic run in Minnesota, Koivun’s professional record included a missed cut at the John Deere Classic and a tied-10th finish at the ISCO Championship earlier in July 2026 [6].

The Road to the Playoffs

With only two regular-season events remaining on the PGA Tour schedule before the playoffs begin [6], Koivun is poised to transition to full-time professional status for the upcoming 2027 season [5]. His next scheduled appearance is slated for the Wyndham Championship on August 13, 2026 [5]. Scheffler praised the rookie’s performance, noting that the high caliber of play from recent college graduates demonstrates how exceptionally prepared young golfers are today compared to previous generations [6]. Koivun’s breakthrough victory at TPC Twin Cities cements his status as a major new force to watch in professional golf [5][6].

Sources

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