Burkowski on Koivun's 3M Open victory: 'He was in control between the ears'
Golf Channel's Steve Burkowski analyzed Jackson Koivun's winning performance at the 3M Open and noted his mental control and stability throughout the tournament.
Video Transcript
Well, for more perspective, let's bring in Steve Burkowski, who covered Jackson Koevon very closely when he was at Auburn.
It's great to see you.
I know you were busy covering the US Junior Am.
How closely did you follow Jackson these last couple of days?
No, Damon, I was watching while we were keeping our eye on maybe the next future star a few years from now in Miles Russell as he made it all the way to the championship match.
And quick shout out to Noah McLoughlin for getting the job done.
You saw it, and then you saw the Saturday 61, and you're thinking, start three, steadily in for one of the best we have seen in college golf.
But I think what Jackson Koevon showed today with Scottie Scheffler making a little bit of a charge, he was in control.
Between the years is one of the big separators I'm always looking for, Damon.
When you're fresh out of college, all eyeballs are on you.
The expectations are high.
Koevon has seemingly responded.
We saw it for three years at Auburn, where he won 11 times.
Didn't have the best fall last season as a junior, and a lot of people said, "Well, why didn't you turn professional?
You already had your card locked up through the PGA Tour, U Accelerated program."
While Jackson Koevon won quickly, I think he's always played the long game.
He knew there were things he could fine-tune, improve upon.
And what did he do this spring?
He said, "I tried to win every golf tournament."
He won six of them.
He holds 16 individual records at Auburn.
He played 39 events, Damon, in college.
87% of the time he finished in the top 10.
So I was watching.
I got back home today, and to watch him, get the job done, I kinda feel like a proud papa, if you will.
Because we cover these guys so long, and we cut 'em free and let 'em spread their wings.
Koevon certainly did not disappoint.
Well, there have been many stars in the collegiate constellation as it were.
Ludvig berg, for example, Nick Dunlap, for example.
But what have you heard over the last several years from players, from coaches about what separates Jackson Koevon maybe from any of his peers?
Across the board, the best putter they have seen in college golf.
I've got that from Buddy Alexander.
I shared that statement.
I'll share it again.
The long-time college golf coach who had some really good putters.
He told me as a freshman Jackson Koevon is the best putter he's ever coached.
He's been around as Buddy was an assistant for Auburn when they won the national championship in 2024.
If you know Buddy Alexander, he does not give out praise easily.
So I sorta had that in my back pocket, and then I watched over three years at Auburn, he got longer.
A good 15 to 20 yards longer.
So when you combine that, the tremendous putting as we see here on 18 to finish up, with that par and go bogey-free, and it's the discipline, Damon.
It is a work ethic unlike many I've ever seen before.
Don't get me wrong, all the talented players get after it.
They work hard.
I'm gonna give you a really good story here.
So the regional that Auburn played in to get into the NCAA championships was in Athens, Georgia.
Auburn had some moments where they were outside that top five.
Koevon wasn't 100% healthy, didn't have a great finish.
They got through.
They ended up winning it all again.
They make the 90-minute drive or so back to campus at Auburn.
They arrive 9:00, 9:30 at night.
Jackson Koevon goes to the putting green, uses his phone, turns on the flashlight, and putts for the better part of an hour.
Most people are saying, "Let's get something to eat.
Let's go to bed."
It gives you a sense of the motivation, the drive that Jackson Koevon has.
Even though they accomplished their goal, Jackson Koevon's never satisfied.
And I think you might have saw it in his reaction.
It felt like that was a guy that had won 10 times on tour, you know.
He's excited, a little fist pump, that relief of, "Oh my goodness, I did it."
That speaks to who Jackson is.
I always look for between the years.
That's my biggest separator.
You just said Ludvig berg.
Collin Morikawa was the same way.
Jordan Spieth was the same way nearly two decades ago.
They go about the game just a little bit differently than the other great ones.
Yeah, I saw it in his reaction.
I also saw it on his glove.
Dominate, trust, confidence.
Any pitfalls, though?
How's the team around him?
The bright lights are gonna be on him now.
Any concerns at all going forward?
I don't have any.
I think this win probably settles him into a really good spot in terms of, "I know I belong."
You can say it.
You can believe it.
Hey, his very first start, I was on Call Today with Eamon Lynch.
He's like, "What do you think?"
I said, "Eh, top 20.
He makes the cut."
He didn't even make the cut.
You know, you have to almost get out of the way, let it happen.
He did it.
Now, I'm not gonna go on the flip side and say he's gonna win two or three more times or make the President's Cup team.
We don't wanna be a prisoner of the moment, but I certainly believe we're all in the same camp.
This will not be the last win for Jackson Koevon.
He's grounded.
He's level-headed.
He's got a great family around him.
And as you said, on that glove, dominate.
It goes back to here's a young man that is never satisfied, always wants to see how good he can be.
He did it in college.
He proved a big point to, probably to himself today, but I'm sure there's a couple more things he'd like to get done before this year is through
