Rory McIlroy's putting coach names 'hardest-working kid' he's ever seen on PGA Tour
Brad Faxon says Jackson Koivun is the hardest-working kid he has ever seen on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy's putting coach Brad Faxon says Jackson Koivun is the "hardest-working kid" he has ever seen on the PGA Tour.
The 21-year-old American turned professional after this year's U.S. Open following a standout college career at Auburn and needed just three starts to claim his first PGA Tour title at the 3M Open.
Koivun will now look to finish the season strongly as he pushes for a place on the United States team for the Presidents Cup, which will face the International side at Medinah in September.
He is among the 69-man field with McIlroy for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, which begins on Thursday at TPC Southwind.
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Faxon, who revealed McIlroy has not picked up a club since tapping in for a bogey on the 72nd hole of The Open, told the Sky Sports Golf podcast that Koivun's future is bright.
"Jackson Koivun dominated college and he is the hardest working kid I have ever seen," said Faxon.
"He comes blessed with a great putting stroke and a great putting attitude.
"I spend a lot of my time at the Titleist Performance Institute, where you can do all the testing of your equipment.
"I first met Jackson there and talked about his game.
"Every single guy who did the club fitting and ball fitting, was saying, 'nobody is close to what this guy is doing'.
"We have seen how good he hits the iron as well so I am excited for him.
"I am a long-term believer in Jackson Koivun."
Koivun secured his spot at the FedEx St. Jude Championship by sharing 29th spot at the Wyndham Championship.
He was up against as he only turned professional in June.
He tied for 23rd at the U.S. Open, missed his first cut and then won the 3M Open in Minnesota by holding off a charging Scottie Scheffler down the stretch at TPC Twin Cities.
Just two starts later, he is headed for the first of three play-off events and playing in a tournament that carries a $20m purse.
Only Tiger Woods made it to the play-offs in as many starts.
"At the end of the day it's kind of the season-long goal, to make the playoffs," Koivun told reporters on Sunday.
"Obviously starting a little late is definitely a hiccup in the road, but to be able to be in this position's really cool."
Koivun needs to end the week inside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings to advance to the BMW Championship.
Only the top 30 will compete at the Tour Championship at East Lake.
Per the PGA Tour's Paul Hodowanic, the minimum finish Koivun needs to advance to the BMW Championship is a two-way tie for seventh.
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