Tiger Woods’ long-standing NCAA golf record has just been broken

Records set by Tiger Woods tend not to disappear quietly. When they do fall, it usually signals something special.

Jackson Koivun provided exactly that this week in Hawaii, producing a scoring display that underlines why he is increasingly viewed as one of the most exciting talents in amateur golf — and why comparisons with the very best are no longer premature.

The Auburn standout added a major milestone to his rapidly expanding résumé by breaking Woods’ long-standing NCAA 36-hole scoring record at the Amer Ari Invitational, a mark that had stood untouched for almost 30 years.

Koivun’s ascent has been relentless. After choosing Auburn in 2023 despite interest from virtually every major college programme, the Californian wasted no time establishing himself as a force. 

His freshman campaign in 2024 was exceptional: a six-shot victory at the SEC Championship, just one finish outside the top six all season, and a clean sweep of collegiate golf’s four major individual awards. He then helped Auburn claim the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.

Since then, the milestones have kept coming. Koivun made the cut on his PGA Tour debut at the Memorial Tournament, starred in the United States’ Walker Cup win in 2025, climbed to world No.1 in the amateur rankings and secured a future PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated programme.

The latest highlight may be the most eye-catching yet.

On the sun-baked fairways of Hawaii, Koivun opened the Amer Ari Invitational with a flawless 10-under-par 62. He followed it with another 62 on Friday — again without a single bogey — to reach 20-under par through 36 holes.

That score eclipsed the iconic 18-under par total posted by Woods at the 1996 Pac-10 Championship, a record that had only been matched once in nearly three decades.

In the process, Koivun also became the first player in NCAA history to shoot two rounds of 62 or lower in the same tournament.

Across those two rounds, the 20-year-old racked up 18 birdies and an eagle, showcasing not just firepower but remarkable control — the kind that separates elite amateurs from future professionals.

There is still work to do, however. 

With one round remaining, Arizona State’s Michael Mjaaseth sits just two shots back after equalling Woods’ previous record himself.

Koivun will of course have eyes on the title, but he will likely also have sights set on the NCAA's 54-hole record.

Chinese star Wenyi Ding fired rounds of 63, 64 and 62 to record a 27-under par total at the 2024 Amer Ari.

Koivun needs a 64 Saturday to break Ding’s record.

Keep up to speed with live scores here