Auburn Golf sensation Jackson Koivun earned an exemption into the Memorial Match after profitable the Jack Nicklaus Award.
This week will mark his first PGA Tour begin at a difficult Muirfield Village monitor in opposition to among the greatest on the planet. The 2023 Nicklaus Award winner and fellow standout Ludvig Åberg joined him for six holes on Tuesday main as much as the occasion.
Koivun admires what Åberg has completed in his brief profession.
“He’s carried out a lot for not solely skilled golf however for faculty golf, opening the eyes of patrons and the PGA Tour to how good these collegiate guys are,” Koivun stated. “There’s going to be extra alternatives with [PGA Tour University] due to guys like that.
It is fairly exceptional how a lot Ludvig Åberg has already impressed school gamers trying to break onto the PGA TOUR.
Nick Dunlap, Gordon Sargent and now Jackson Koivun have all spoken to Åberg’s success and the way it has motivated them. pic.twitter.com/3PwkQhirFf
— Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) June 5, 2024
Åberg was the primary participant to earn full-time standing by means of the PGA Tour College program in Could 2023. Within the 12 months since, Åberg already has constructed up fairly the resume, which incorporates wins on the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and the RSM Basic in Georgia. He additionally helped lead Crew Europe to a Ryder Cup victory in Rome.
“He evokes me and reveals that he’s put his title on a few of these awards I’ve received, and I can go do what he’s doing and compete like him,” Koivun added.
The teen has had fairly the freshman season. From profitable the person SEC Championship to serving to the Tigers win their first NCAA Crew Championship, he has made a reputation for himself fairly quick.
The freshman standout turned the primary participant in golf to brush the three nationwide Participant of the Yr awards. Along with the Nicklaus, Koivun additionally received the Haskins, the Hogan, and the Phil Mickelson Excellent Freshman Award.
Nick Dunlap broke down a wall as the previous Alabama golfer received the American Categorical as an beginner. He was the primary beginner golfer to win a PGA Tour occasion since 1991, when Mickelson did so.
Koivun is one in every of many gifted school gamers within the NCAA proper now. Gordan Sargent, a Vanderbilt senior, is one other younger participant who has already caught the eye of {many professional} golfers.
Sargent may also have PGA Tour standing when he is able to flip professional.
He’s the primary participant to graduate from PGA Tour College’s Accelerated program after incomes 20 factors based mostly on his accomplishments in school, beginner, {and professional} occasions. Nonetheless, Sargent selected to remain his senior 12 months and can obtain standing for the 2025 season.
Guys like Åberg, Dunlap, Koivun, and Sargent are a part of this new wave taking on skilled golf. They’re coming for the PGA Tour and don’t want time to regulate as a result of the competitors in school is already that fierce.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. For extra golf protection, you’ll want to comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You too can comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.