< PreviousOLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: MEN’S GOLF 101 As summer jobs go, Jackson Koivun’s made up for with celebration what it lacked in compensation. Competing as an amateur on the PGA Tour rendered Koivun ineligible to claim more than a million dollars in prize money the Auburn junior would have earned as a professional so far in 2025. For Koivun, that’s a small price to pay for another year on the Plains. “It was a no-brainer for me,” said Koivun of his decision to return to Auburn for his junior season despite already securing his PGA Tour card. “I love Auburn, and I’m happy to be here. I wasn’t ready to turn pro after my sophomore year. It made so much sense for me to stay.” Gaining PGA Tour experience this summer while getting to play another season at Auburn represents the best of both worlds, he says. “A hundred percent,” Koivun said. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’m very happy to play in these PGA Tour events, but I’m still a college golfer and looking forward to starting up this college season. You get out there, it’s definitely a lot self-centered. It’s a complete 180 from college golf. That’s something that kept me coming back.” When Koivun finished tied for fourth in mid-September at the Procore Championship in California, he became the first amateur with three consecutive top 10 PGA Tour finishes since hall of famer Ken Venturi in 1956. “It gives me confidence that I can go out there and do it,” Koivun said. “There have been so many good amateurs to play on the PGA Tour and eventually turn pro and be successful. To put my name up there into that category is truly special.” The previous week, Koivun helped the United States win the 50th Walker Cup, earning three of Team USA’s 17 points at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California. “That might have been one of the best experiences of my life,” he said. “Getting back to California, getting with a lot of friends who were on the U.S. team and being able to get a win. That was unbelievable.” A gallery favorite, especially among young fans at PGA Tour events, Koivun autographed a dollar bill, a keychain and a bag of potato chips during the Wyndham Championship in his home state of North Carolina. “It’s really cool to be able to potentially inspire people,” said Koivun, who won the McCormack Medal in August as the world’s No. 1 amateur. “I do my best to keep my head down, not do anything flashy. Just get to work and keep getting better and inspire people through my golf game.” Even without the seven-figure PGA Tour payday, Koivun still monetizes his golf mastery, thanks to the NCAA’s 2021 policy change that allows student- athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. Not being concerned with prize money allows Koivun to do what he does best: aim for the top of the leaderboard. “I want to go out there and win,” he said. “That’s my mindset. Coach (Nick) Clinard talks about all the time, we play for trophies, and the other stuff comes after that. If you go out there playing to win, you’re going to have a lot better shot than worrying about a check.” In his groundbreaking freshman season, Jackson Koivun led Auburn to the 2024 NCAA championship. In 2025, he showed he belongs on the PGA Tour, a circuit he will soon call home. But first, there’s the 2026 college season, a chance to take the Tigers back to the top. “I know our whole team wants to win again,” Koivun said. “Only three of us felt it my freshman year, and we’ve got some newbies on the team. If we can play like I know we can, we can get it done.” OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE: MEN’S GOLF BY: JEFF SHEARER AUBURNTIGERS.COM AFTER PGA TOUR SUCCESS, JACKSON KOIVUN RETURNS FOR AUBURN ENCOREAUBURN SPORTS PROPERTIES 103 AUBURNTIGERS.COM Auburn Sports Properties is owned and operated by Playfly, the official worldwide marketer of Auburn University Athletics. 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