Koibun Triumphs at 3M Open, Secures First PGA Tour Victory

BLAINE, Minn. — Jaxon Koibun was understandably nervous, but he managed to clinch his first PGA Tour win thanks to an impressive performance from Scottie Scheffler, who is a crowd favorite and currently ranked number one in the world.

Koibun took home the victory at the 3M Open on Sunday, finishing three strokes ahead of Scheffler after shooting a 5-under 66. His total score of 25-under 259 set a new tournament record.

“I kept hearing people in the crowd saying, ‘Scotty’s coming, Scotty’s coming,'” Koibun, who is just 21 years old, reflected. “I just tried to focus and play the golf I knew I was capable of.”

Scheffler, who tee’d off five groups ahead of Koibun, made a push for the title with a score of 63 but ended up with his fifth runner-up finish this season, his only win occurring earlier at the American Express in California.

“There’s a lot of really, really good young talent in today’s golf,” Scheffler noted. “When I see them coming out of college, it’s clear they’re incredibly prepared, even more so than we were back in our time.”

Hideki Matsuyama, Brian Harman, Chandler Phillips, and Denny McCarthy tied for third place at 20-under par.

On a sweltering afternoon at TPC Twin Cities, Koibun maintained a steady and cautious approach throughout the day, posting a third-round score of 61, which put him three strokes ahead after 54 holes. He enjoyed another day without a bogey. After hitting a sand trap, he made an important par-saving putt on the ninth green, which inspired him as he proceeded to the back nine.

“That might have been the biggest putt I’ve made all week,” Koibun shared. “I was aware of my standing on the scoreboard. If I’d missed it, I could have been just two strokes ahead. To come through was crucial for my momentum.”

Lee Hodges previously held the tournament record, finishing at 24-under 260 in 2023.

Having missed the John Deere Classic in Illinois and tying for 10th at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky earlier, Koibun marked his win at Minnesota as a significant achievement. He made 10 appearances as an amateur in tour events.

For his victory, Koibun earned a prize of $1,584,000 and jumped 124 spots to 70th in the FedEx Cup standings, securing his place just outside the playoff spots with two regular-season events remaining.

“I feel like I’ve made significant progress in my mindset over the past few years,” said Koibun, who recently set a record at Auburn for average strokes per round (68.89) and led his college team to a national championship. “Sometimes I see other players in practice and wonder if I’m as talented as them. But if you can believe in yourself and think strategically, it definitely feels like a superpower.”

Scheffler, who began the final round with a commanding six-stroke lead, needed a misstep from Koibun to regain control, but it simply never happened.

Though Scheffler played almost flawlessly, he did miss a crucial birdie putt on the 14th hole. In the post-match interview, Koibun had already secured a birdie on the 16th hole, placing him at 25 under.

“Winning for the first time is always a tough challenge, especially for a newcomer coming out of college,” Scheffler remarked. “It speaks volumes about Koibun’s talent and mental strength.”

Koibun, who grew up in San Jose, California, before moving to Chapel Hill, North Carolina at age 17, started his competitive journey on nine-hole public courses. After celebrating with his father George on the course, he had an emotional FaceTime call with his mother Meghan, who couldn’t be at the tournament.

“She was crying,” Koibun recalled. “I tried to catch what she was saying, but all I heard was how proud she was. They are my foundation.”