Jackson Koivun meets Jack Nicklaus, ready to try luck at Memorial

Field Level Media|published: Wed 5th June, 12:47 2024

Jackson Koivun of Chapel Hill, N.C., watches his tee shot at the par-3 13th hole of the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course during Sunday's final round of the Junior Players Championship. Koivun On 13

Jackson Koivun added to his ever-growing resume by winning all four major awards in the same season while guiding Auburn to its first men's golf national title.

Koivun followed up winning the Fred Haskins Award (top male U.S. collegiate golfer), Ben Hogan Award (best college golfer in U.S.) and Phil Mickelson Award (outstanding freshman) by capturing the Jack Nicklaus Award. The Golf Coaches Association of America presents that award to the player of the year at each level of men's college golf.

Koivun, 19, joined other awardees in meeting "the Golden Bear" himself on Tuesday and shared his thoughts on Wednesday, one day before the start of the Nicklaus-hosted Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

"It was awesome," Koivun said of meeting the 18-time major winner. "Mr. Nicklaus gave us a lot of great information and advice. Being listed on that trophy with those names and being able to play in this tournament is just very nice, and I couldn't be happier."

By winning the Nicklaus Award, Koivun earned a spot in this week's tournament.

"I had a chance to watch Jackson a little in the NCAA Championships, as he led Auburn to a title, and he certainly doesn't play like a freshman," Nicklaus said in a media release. "He won in extra holes in the semifinals to advance his team, and in the finals against Florida State, he was the first to put a point on the board. I think playing this week at Muirfield Village Golf Club will just add to the great experiences Jackson has enjoyed this year. We wish him well."

Koivun admitted that the success of Ludvig Aberg -- the 2023 Nicklaus Award winner -- has provided a bit of inspiration.

"Ludvig's a great player. He's done so much for not only professional golf but for college golf, kind of opening the eyes for patrons and the PGA Tour of how good these collegiate guys are," Koivun said. "And with PGA Tour you know I think that's just going to keep growing opportunities for guys like me, and even younger, that there's going to be more opportunities coming through with that program because of guys like that. He kind of inspires me that shows that he's put his name on some of these awards that I've won and I can go do what he's doing and just compete like him."

--Field Level Media