Jackson Koivun, the world’s top-ranked amateur, announced Friday that he will forgo his final season of college eligibility at Auburn and join the PGA Tour.
Koivun, 21, will finish his amateur career next week at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, playing as an exemption as last year’s McCormack Medal winner. He plans to make his professional debut at the John Deere Classic, set for July 1-5 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
“I’m grateful to everyone at Auburn University for giving me the most incredible college experience I could’ve ever imagined,” Koivun said in a statement Friday. “From bringing home a pair of national championships to the late nights and early mornings grinding at the facility and competing alongside guys I’ll call brothers for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. With that being said, I’ve decided to forego my senior year to pursue my lifelong dream of playing on the PGA Tour.”
Koivun secured his PGA Tour card after recording a T4 finish at the 2025 NCAA Championship, thereby earning the final point needed to reach the 20-point threshold at PGA Tour University Accelerated. He deferred his membership a year to play his junior year at Auburn.
