Top-ranked amateur Jackson Koivun makes his PGA TOUR debut at the 2025 John Deere Classic, returning to a place with family roots in the Quad Cities. The Haskins and Nicklaus Award winner opens up about life at Auburn, learning from pros like Russell Henley, and what he took away from narrowly missing the cut at the U.S. Open. Koivun talks candidly about his growth, the strength of college golf today, and how young players are reshaping the future of the game. With more sponsor exemptions on deck and a strong bond with fellow Walker Cup teammates, Koivun is one to watch.
All good. All right. Good morning. We’d like to welcome Jackson Kovven to the interview room here at the 2025 John Deere Classic. Jackson, you’re the number one ranked amateur making your tournament debut this week. Can you just talk a little bit about how you’re feeling and any expectations you have for yourself? Yeah, no, it’s it’s great to be here. Great to be in uh the Quad Cities. Um I’m feeling good going into into this event. golf course is great. Um, they do a stellar job out here and um, not trying to have too many expectations, just trying to go out there, have fun, and play. Well,
we were talking a little bit about this before, but your dad grew up here in Molen. Um, what’s it like just being back in the Quad Cities? Yeah, I mean, there’s definitely sort of sense of familiarity here. Uh, we got a little bit of family still left in these areas, so it’s nice to be able to come back. And obviously my dad grew up here, so he’s got a lot of a lot of friends from high school days here. So, uh, hopefully I’ll get a little little nice crowd around here.
Awesome. We’ll open it up to questions. If you have a question, just raise your hand and we’ll bring you over a mic. We’ll start right here with Craig. Uh, Jackson, are you familiar with the uh the the history of amateurs and sponsors exemptions here at John Deere? Um Jordan Smith obviously is a poster child for that uh for turning that into something really great. Um he was a sponsor’s exemption in 20 14 came back uh 20 excuse me 2012 came back and and and won in 2013 and then obviously Luke had a great run here last week. So uh how does that enter into enter your thinking as you take the first heat? Yeah, I mean obviously it’s really cool to have a bunch of sponsored exemptions and amateurs play well here and it just shows like that’s it’s doable and um just got to keep that in the back of my mind and trust my game and myself. Um you you have your card PJ Tour Accelerator whenever you want to say I’m pro. Um what are your plans? What’s your thinking? You going to finish school or go back next year? Obviously what
Yeah, I mean I’m definitely going back next year but I’m not really sure what I’m going to do from there. Um just excited to go back for junior year for Auburn and we’ll see how senior year goes if I want to stay or if I want to go.
Uh Luke was extremely he said the the junior game and the college game really uh when he came in here last year he said it really felt left him feeling very prepared for being out here and and even competing which he clearly did. He finished second. So um do you feel like the sky’s is the limit?
Yeah, for sure. I think college golf is in such a good spot right now where it’s just furthering and preparing guys to uh to come out here and compete on a week- toeek basis and that’s something I’m very happy to be a part of and definitely part of my reason to stay for another year.
We’ll go to Tom.
The three youngsters sponsor exemptions, top amateurs, Walker Cupers, what is your guys’ relationship? Do you hang out together? Are you friends? Are you competitors, friendly competitors? What’s the relationship with you three? Yeah, I mean, we’re all really good friends, so that’s definitely something be that that’s cool. Um, we we definitely compete against each other a lot, but it’s definitely friendly competition. Um, me and Lasso, we uh we live about 20 minutes away from each other in North Carolina, so we play a lot of golf together, and Ben’s an awesome dude. uh we’ve played a lot of tournaments together and going back into even into junior golf. So there’s definitely a sense of camaraderie there and we’re all really looking forward to the Walker Cup and this week of course. Does an event these events when you get them? How do they or do they even help prepare you for a competition such as Walker Cup?
Yeah, for sure. I mean, you just got to keep I like to go into these events with an open mind, trying to take in as much knowledge as I can and how I can get better. And if I can just keep getting 1% better every day, whether that’s I learn something new out here from one of the professionals, it’s definitely just going to help me get better and help me compete at place like Walker Cup.
We’ll go over here to the left.
You barely missed the cut at the US Open. Can you just talk about what you learned from Oakmont and that whole experience? Yeah, I mean that golf course was pretty hard, but uh no, it was a really good event. Really cool. There’s just a lot to learn there. Um obviously stings a little bit to miss the cut by one, but um it just shows that there’s still work to be done. Um little things here and there I can do better. And maybe if I can just do the things little things better, you know, pre pre-ournament routine, that type of stuff, I can maybe shave half a shot off a round and I make that cut.
You have one of the more accomplished college careers already, Haskins award winner, Nicholas award, SEC player of the year. Talk about like the biggest difference that you notice between being out here on the tour with the world’s best versus playing college golf. Um, they just prepare so well in my opinion. Um, obviously everyone out here hits it so good. Everyone out here has the capability to go shoot 62, but they they prepare well. They’re they’re resting, recovering, and all that stuff. And that’s something I need to get a little better at. Um, they’re they’re so diligent with their work on and off the golf course, and that’s something pretty admirable and something I can definitely learn learn about. We’ll go back over here to Craig. Jackson, what’s your schedule look like now? Do you got have some more sponsors exemptions coming up this summer?
Yeah, so I’m playing the Isco Championship next uh next week, which is uh another great event. I’m just happy to be able to play those backtoback. Just trying to learn a little more, feel what it feels like to play backto-back weeks out here. And then after that, I’m currently in the Western Amateur and the US Amateur. So, still got some amateur golf to play, which is awesome. And those two events are incredible and I’m really looking forward to those.
Jackson, speaking of preparation, have you made a reconnaissance trip to Cypress Point yet? If so, what are your impressions? If not, what are your expectations?
I’ve not made a trip yet. We actually played there last year in a tournament, though. So, it’s it’s an unbelievable golf course. Um 15, 16, 17 are probably three of the best holes in golf. And uh it’s just such a cool spot. And I think we’re going out there beginning of August, mid a or right before to play a couple rounds. So I’m really looking forward to that.
Up here back to Tom.
You talked about coming out here and learning some things. Is there anybody any tour guys? Anybody out here who has kind of taken you under their wing and helped you, you know, with any advice, any tips, anything like that? Yeah, I mean I’m fortunate enough to have met a lot of really really good people out here at this point. Um they’re all super kind and welcoming and helpful. Um when I’m back home in Auburn, I play a little bit of golf with Russell Henley. So I’d say he’s helped me a good bit here and there just kind of seeing what he does. And I mean he’s been playing some unbelievable golf. So um he’s definitely someone I can learn from. And um just guys I meet out here, guys I play practice rounds with, they’re all just super nice and super helpful and just thing little things I can pick up here and there are great. Tour always seems to be getting younger and younger. Aldrich wins last week. All of the 20somes who are winning on tour now. Are you guys conspiring to take over here in the next five years or what’s going on? No, it’s definitely cool to see all the the young guys coming out. It just it shows that we can do it. It shows just how golf has kind of changed in the past few years. I mean, I look at junior golfers nowadays, I’m like, “Wow, these kids are really good.” And um even though I was a junior golfer three years ago, but it’s just it’s it’s crazy the the leap they’ve made. Um I don’t know if that’s what they’re putting in the water or something, but it’s crazy. All right, we’ll go to Haley.
Jackson, nice to meet you and congratulations on this opportunity. Just what do you think of the course so far and in terms of being successful out here? How confident are you that your game can fit a course like this?
Yeah, I mean the golf course is great. Um, you know, when you come to the John Deere, they definitely pride themselves in their grass and it it definitely shows off, but everything’s in perfect condition. Um, I don’t think we’re going to get any rain. maybe a little bit on the weekend. So, I think the course will be playing really, really good, and I’m looking forward to that. And I feel like my game suits this golf course pretty well. I mean, years pass, you need to make a lot of birdies out here to play well. So, um, if I can get that putter hot, I’ll feel pretty good about myself.
How much family do you think’s going to come out here and watch you play? I know your dad’s from the area.
Yeah, I I have no clue. Uh, I’ve been told there have been a couple people coming out, so I’m kind of excited to see what the first two looks like tomorrow. And just how much uh growing up as a kid, how much time did you spend here in this area?
Didn’t spend too much time. I think I’ve made two trips out here before before now, but um my my dad definitely has a lot of ties out here.
Thank you. All right. Thanks, Jackson. Good luck this week.
Thank you.
