Jackson Koivun has won nearly every award possible during his three-year collegiate career at Auburn, and through the PGA Tour Accelerated Program, he already holds his PGA Tour card following his sophomore season.
Despite that, he returned to the Plains for his junior season, and the rest of college golf outside of his teammates and coaches might be frustrated that he did.
On Tuesday, Koivun won his fifth tournament of the season and 10th of his career, joining a list of Tiger Woods, Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson and several others who have double-digit wins in their collegiate careers. He’s the favorite to win the Haskins Award for the second time in three seasons, and No. 1 Auburn will go into the NCAA Tournament as one of the favorites to win the national title for the second time in three years.
Justin Thomas praises Jackson Koivun
Koivun’s play has reached the upper levels of the PGA Tour as pros are taking notice of what he’s been able to do. He’s been so impressive that even a rival can’t help but praise him.
"I think everything. I haven't played a lot of golf with Jackson, but I've played enough -- I think we've played maybe two practice rounds at Oakmont last year, and I just remember leaving those practice rounds like, this kid is really good,” Justin Thomas said.
Of course, Thomas spent his playing days at rival Alabama, where he won the Haskins Award in 2012. The two-time PGA Championship winner has been most impressed by how Koivun’s mentality has stayed the same after all the victories.
"He's played unbelievably,” he said. “To continue that high level of play in college, I think it would be very easy to get complacent and kind of get bored, but he's not doing that clearly, but also whenever he gets into professional events, he's playing really well, too. I think it's just a matter of him for him. Even though he is an Auburn dude, I'm happy for him."
Add us as a preferred source on Google