Jackson Koivun has had a historic start to the Amer Ari Invitational in Hawaii.
The junior at Auburn, who’s the top-ranked amateur in the world, sits at 20-under 124 after two rounds of play in the Tigers’ spring opener at Mauna Lani Resort Golf. He has shot consecutive rounds of 62 to open the Amer Ari and added his name to the NCAA college golf record books in the process.
Koivun’s 20-under total is the lowest 36-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history, besting Tiger Woods’ mark of 18-under 126 in the 1996 Pac-10 Championship. Woods’ score is believed to be the 36-hole scoring record in relation to par, per college golf guru College Golf Book. Koivun’s 124 total tied the lowest score record, which Sebastian Sandin from Lindsey Wilson College shot at the Lindsey Wilson Invite on Aug. 29, 2022.
If that wasn’t enough, Koivun is also believed to be the first person in college golf history to shoot consecutive rounds of 62, let alone two rounds of 62 (or better) in the same tournament. He has 18 birdies, one eagle and 17 pars through 36 holes, and his lead is only two shots over Arizona State’s Michael Mjaaseth.
Two years ago, former Arizona State star Wenyi Ding set the all-time college golf scoring record at the Amer Ari, finishing at 27-under 189. He had only one bogey over 54 holes. Zubair Firdaus from San Jose State finished at 23-under 190 (par 71) in 2024 at the Alister MacKenzie Invitational, the only other person known to have shot 190 or better.
For Koivun to tie Ding’s scoring record Saturday, he would need to shoot 7-under 65 in the final round. He would usurp Ding on the throne if he signs for 8 under or better come Saturday.
Auburn sits at 47 under as a team, leading Texas by four shots heading into the final round. The Longhorns are without one of their best players, as sophomore Daniel Bennett is competing in the Africa Amateur Championship this week.
But the first two rounds belonged to Koivun, who has a PGA Tour card in his back pocket and proved he’s worthy of his ranking as the best amateur in the world. Come Saturday, he has a chance at even more college golf history.