Jackson Koivun Leads Auburn to NCAA Championship, Eyes Professional Future

Jackson Koivun had compelling reasons to remain an amateur for the 2025-26 season after considering a jump to the PGA Tour last year. Key among those was the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the Walker Cup and compete in prestigious events like the U.S. Open and the Open Championship. However, his primary focus was on guiding Auburn to another national championship.

On a cloudy day in San Diego, 2,000 miles from their Alabama campus, Koivun showcased his skills, dominating his match while two freshmen, Logan Reill and Jake Gilbert, also contributed to Auburn's decisive 4-1 victory over 23rd-ranked UCLA. This win marked Auburn's second championship in the match-play format, having previously claimed their first title at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa two years prior. Junior Cayden Pope and freshman Josiah Gilbert rounded out the team during the championship match.

UCLA, which had a surprising run to the finals after victories over Texas and Arizona, managed to secure just one point from freshman Josh Kim. Reflecting on the season, Koivun stated, “It's been one hell of a ride with this team this year. We're a pretty good group of guys, and we like to have a lot of fun.”

This championship likely signifies the conclusion of Koivun's remarkable college career, as he wraps up his junior year. He has won six tournaments this season alone and received numerous accolades, including being one of the few players to win the Ben Hogan Award multiple times. Additionally, he has secured the Fred Haskins Award for a second consecutive year.

Looking ahead, Koivun is expected to make a swift decision regarding his transition to professional golf. Currently, he holds the top position in the Official World Golf Rankings and earned his PGA Tour card through the University Accelerated Program. In his six tour events so far, he has achieved four top-11 finishes.

Despite not having the best performance during stroke play, where he tied for 10th place, Koivun rebounded in match play, defeating the World No. 3, Preston Stout, and later besting UCLA's Baylor Larrabee 4 and 3. “I played really, really solid,” he remarked. “I didn't really give him too many open doors.”

Auburn's golf program is built on a strong culture of communication and teamwork, as emphasized by head coach Nick Clinard. He noted, “A lot of work, especially with the freshmen," indicating the commitment required to excel in the sport. "It's work with their swing coaches and short-game coaches and just trying to manage it.”