Jackson Koivun's record 61 puts him 3 clear at 3M Open
Synopsis
A 21-year-old in just his third professional start fired a tournament-record 61 — eight-under on the back nine alone — to lead the 3M Open by three shots. Jackson Koivun, the former world No. 1 amateur, is one round away from one of the fastest debut victories the PGA Tour has seen in years.
Key Takeaways
Jackson Koivun shot a 10-under 61 on Saturday, equalling the 3M Open tournament record and moving to 20-under par .
Koivun leads by three shots over Ben Kohles and Emiliano Grillo (both at 17-under) heading into the final round.
His back nine of eight-under 28 set a new tournament record for the closing stretch, featuring four birdies and two eagles .
This is only Koivun's 13th PGA Tour start and his third as a professional since turning pro after the U.S.
Michael Kim's historic 59 from Friday faded as a 70 dropped him to tied sixth at 15-under .
1 Scottie Scheffler carded a 64 to reach 14-under , six shots off the pace.
Jackson Koivun fired a stunning 10-under 61 on Saturday to seize the outright lead after the third round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, equalling the tournament's lowest single-round score and positioning the 21-year-old for what would be a landmark maiden PGA Tour victory.
Koivun reached 20-under par — on rounds of 64, 68 and 61 — to open a three-shot lead heading into Sunday's final round, a commanding cushion for a player who only turned professional after the U.S. Open last month.
A Record-Breaking Back Nine
The round gathered extraordinary momentum after the turn. Koivun played the back nine in a scarcely believable eight-under 28, setting a new tournament record for the closing stretch. His six birdies and two eagles were heavily weighted to the inward nine, with four birdies and both eagles arriving after the 10th hole. It was the kind of back-nine charge that transforms a contender into a front-runner overnight.
From Auburn to the Verge of a PGA Title
Koivun's ascent has been rapid by any measure. A decorated amateur career at Auburn University, where he held the world's top amateur ranking, laid the groundwork. The 3M Open is only his 13th PGA Tour start and just his third as a professional. After missing the cut on his professional debut at the John Deere Classic, he bounced back with a tied-10th finish at the ISCO Championship. A first Tour title on Sunday would mark one of the fastest ascents in recent memory.
Closest Challengers
Ben Kohles and Emiliano Grillo share second place at 17-under par, three shots adrift. Both carded five-under 66s in the third round. Kohles had earlier posted rounds of 62 and 69, while Grillo added his 66 to previous scores of 64 and 67.
Michael Kim, who made headlines on Friday with a remarkable 12-under 59 — only the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history — could not sustain that momentum. A third-round one-under 70 dropped him into a tie for sixth at 15-under, five strokes behind the leader.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler mounted one of the day's stronger charges with a seven-under 64, climbing into a tie for ninth at 14-under. Scheffler played the back nine in seven-under 29, featuring seven birdies, one eagle and two bogeys, but still trails Koivun by six shots.
Indian Angle
The week offered little for Indian golf fans to celebrate. Indian-origin golfer Sudarshan Yellamaraju missed the cut, while Hero-supported trio Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai and Akshay Bhatia chose to skip the event altogether.
With his three-shot lead intact and a record-breaking round behind him, Koivun enters Sunday's final round as the clear favourite to claim the first PGA Tour title of what already looks like a remarkable career.
Point of View
And a three-shot lead at TPC Twin Cities is not the fortress it looks on paper. The subplot worth watching is Scheffler, six back but capable of a 62 on demand. If Koivun holds, the narrative writes itself; if he falters, it becomes a cautionary tale about the gap between amateur brilliance and professional nerve.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jackson Koivun and why is he leading the 3M Open?
Jackson Koivun is a 21-year-old American golfer and former world No. 1 amateur from Auburn University who turned professional after the U.S. Open in June 2025. He leads the 3M Open at 20-under par after firing a tournament-record 61 in the third round at TPC Twin Cities.
What made Koivun's third round so special?
Koivun's 10-under 61 equalled the 3M Open's lowest single-round score. He played the back nine in eight-under 28 — a new tournament record for the closing stretch — with four birdies and two eagles arriving after the turn.
Who are Koivun's closest rivals heading into the final round?
Ben Kohles and Emiliano Grillo share second place at 17-under par, three shots behind Koivun. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is in a tie for ninth at 14-under, six shots off the lead.
What happened to Michael Kim after his record 59 on Friday?
Michael Kim, who shot a historic 59 on Friday — only the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history — could not sustain that form. A third-round 70 dropped him to 15-under and a tie for sixth, five shots behind Koivun.
How significant would a win be for Koivun on Sunday?
A victory would be Koivun's first PGA Tour title in only his third start as a professional and his 13th Tour appearance overall. It would rank among the fastest debut wins for a rookie professional in recent PGA Tour history.
