“Ludvig’s a great player. 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.” Following the footsteps of the PGA Tour professional, who was the first one to get the PGA Tour card through the Accelerated program. Jackson Koivun has the same aim and has gotten himself closer to getting the Tour card.

The amateur golfer has been turning heads with his performance. Starting back in 2023, he has three PGA Tour appearances under his name. And following the upcoming one, he could get the chance to earn his permanent place as a professional on the PGA Tour. With the exceptional achievement attached to Koivun’s name, the curiosity to know more about his career and life is valid. So here is everything about the golfer who will soon be turning professional.

Early life and Junior career of Jackson Koivun

The San Jose, California-based golfer, was born to Meghan and George Koivun on May 23, 2005. He got his early exposure to the sport through his father. Growing up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he was competing against his father since childhood. At seven, he beat him for the first time, and that was the start of the historic run for the golfer that he continued even at junior level.

Koivun, as a junior, won the Rolex Tournament of Champions at the age of 17. Following this, next year he added another victory with the Dustin Johnson World Juniors, helping him be the No. 1 recruit in the class by the AJGA and No.3 by Golf Channel. Well, other than the victories, he has some notable finishes under the top 10 at multiple events, including the 2022 Wyndham Invitational, Junior Players Championship, and 2023 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. The great start of the career with junior records set the tone for his amateur start, which he continued at Auburn University.

Through every high and low, Jackson Koivun’s mother, Meghan Koivun, has been in his corner from day one. She was right there on the sidelines when he won the 13-14 age division, and she stood proudly by his side as he made his PGA TOUR debut at the Memorial Tournament. Describing the whirlwind moment of his victory, she said, “We’re running on adrenaline, but it’s been very special.” Must’ve been nothing short of a movie. Speaking of which, it’s no surprise Koivun’s a Guardians of the Galaxy fan – because that win? Absolute Marvel-level hero stuff!

Amateur career of the golfer

After being the top recruit, the Junior Players Championship winner didn’t disappoint with his performance. As a freshman, he recorded one of the best seasons in the history of the sport. He was the first man to sweep the Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson national awards in the same season.

Even with his dominant presence on the course, he set the record for the lowest scoring average with his 69.48. He had 28 subpar rounds, 12 top-10 finishes, 176 birdies, and 8 victories in his 13 participations. Additionally, the California-based golfer has a notable victory. He defeated WAGR No. 1 Gordon Sargent on the 20th hole at the SEC Fall Preview to help his team win by 3-2. With his impressive performance, he was selected to represent the United States in the 2024 Palmer Cup. Also, he was voted SEC Freshman of the Week five times and SEC Golfer of the Week three times.

In 2024, he debuted at the PGA Tour as an amateur in the Memorial Tournament, where he could make the cut. After this, he participated at the Farmers Insurance Open in 2025 and earned a point by making a cut at the event. The participation and outstanding performance have helped him get close to the PGA Tour card. Now, with the upcoming opportunity, he could be the next player getting a tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated Program.

Current points status of Jackson Koivun’s Accelerated Program

Following in the footsteps of Aberg, who was the first one to secure a tour card through the program. Koivun is not far away from securing his at the age of 20. After his three participations and two cuts at the PGA Tour events, he has secured 2 points.

To get the card, he has to get to the 20-point marker as per the PGA Tour University Accelerated Program, which is determined based on his performance, awards, finishes, and more in the collegiate years. Currently, for the Auburn golfer, his awards have added 11 points to his name. Further, his WAGR ranking at second has also added 4 points. Well, the rest of the three points come from his PGA Tour participation.

The total of 18 points could change with his upcoming participation at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. If he could make the cut and secure himself in the top 10 positions. He will be on the list following Luke Clanton to secure a PGA Tour card. But will he be able to bag two points at the signature event, or will he have to wait a little longer? What are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments below.