Russell, Koivun Shoot 74 at U.S. Open as 5 Amateurs Make the Cut

Q: Did delaying his pro career give Jackson Koivun a secret edge for the PGA Tour?

Yes. The evidence suggests Jackson Koivun’s decision to delay turning pro gave him a real, if not “secret,” edge heading into the PGA Tour. Koivun had already secured a PGA Tour card through PGA Tour University Accelerated, but chose to wait because he did not feel fully ready for the travel, pressure and day-to-day demands of tour life. That extra year appears to have improved his mental preparation as much as his golf. Coaches and Koivun himself have said he became more controlled emotionally and more comfortable with the realities of professional golf. The delay also let him build an unusually strong competitive base. He finished one of the most decorated amateur careers in recent memory, winning major college awards repeatedly and helping Auburn to national titles. Just as important, he used that period to test himself against professionals without fully leaving the amateur structure. As an amateur, he made multiple PGA Tour cuts and posted several top-10 finishes, showing he could already compete at that level. His U.S. Open week at Shinnecock Hills reinforced that trajectory. Koivun made the cut in a major for the first time, handled difficult conditions, and shared low-amateur honors. That performance did not prove he will succeed on tour, but it added to a growing body of evidence that he is arriving more seasoned than many new pros. So the advantage was not hidden magic. It was extra time used strategically for maturity, experience and readiness.

3 articles · Updated · PGA TOUR · Jun 20

4-over 74s from Miles Russell and Jackson Koivun left both amateurs at 7 over after the U.S. Open third round at windy Shinnecock Hills.
The 17-year-old Russell and 21-year-old Koivun were paired together in a TV-billed “future of golf” grouping, playing a major weekend round for the first time.
Russell supplied one of the day’s standout moments with a 407-yard drive on the 18th, while both players downplayed the hype and said they were focused on enjoying the game.
Koivun is set to turn pro after leading Auburn to two national titles, while Russell heads to Florida State as the AJGA’s No. 1 junior and world amateur No. 7.
Their showing also underscored amateur depth at this U.S. Open, where five amateurs made the cut and Ryder Cowan stood tied for 11th after 36 holes.