Top Amateur Jackson Koivun to Compete in 2026 U.S. Open Before Turning Professional

U.S. Open. The 19-year-old Auburn Tigers player made the announcement shortly after helping Auburn secure its second NCAA men’s golf national title in three years in June 2026.

Koivun won six college tournaments in a three-month span during the 2025-2026 season and collected every national player of the year award for the second time in his career. He earned his PGA Tour card in May 2025 through the PGA Tour U program and made seven PGA Tour starts as an amateur, recording three top-10 finishes. "I just trust that my game is good enough," Koivun told ESPN.

"I feel like I can beat anyone. " Koivun began practicing at Cinnabar Hills Golf Course near San Jose, California, at age 6. He started working with longtime golf professional Fred Garcia when he was 10.

Garcia, 66, has worked as a golf professional for 27 years and charges $125 per hour for lessons while also working 40 hours per week in the pro shop and giving 20 to 25 lessons weekly. ’" Garcia said. "It’s not about the money.

People always tell me that I can retire, but I feel I can give lessons as long as I’m here. " Four years before June 2026, Koivun’s family relocated from California to North Carolina. Earlier in June 2026, after the NCAA championships, he moved to Jupiter, Florida, and became an incoming member at Panther National golf club.

U.S. Open. Williams recorded no better than a T-30 finish in 10 PGA Tour starts by 2015.

"Chris has been there. He has done it at the highest level and he has failed at the highest level," Auburn head coach Nick Clinard said. " During the 2025-2026 academic year, Koivun added Josh Gregory as a short-game coach.