Mickelson tried to sign Jackson Koivun to LIV | Golf News

Phil Mickelson tried to recruit PGA Tour rookie Jackson Koivun to be part of LIV Golf roughly a 12 months in the past. Koivun claimed victory at the 3M Open, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler among the contenders pursuing him.

The PGA Tour newcomer started his skilled journey by lacking the cut, though he rapidly rebounded with a top-10 end at the ISCO Championship.

Koivun’s latest achievements embody sharing low novice honors at the U.S. Open with Ryder Cowan, and he is been on veteran skilled Mickelson’s watch record for some time.

After Koivun selected to stay with the American tour, Mickelson efficiently recruited Ole Miss graduate Michael La Sasso, who forfeited enjoying in the 2026 Masters to sign with the Saudi-backed league.

Koivun’s collegiate achievements captured Mickelson’s curiosity, as he needed to fill a emptiness on his LIV Golf staff, the HyFlyers, after Andy Ogletree’s relegation last 12 months. He subsequently expressed his appreciation for the 21-year-old, indicating on social media that he would attempt to persuade the younger golfer to be part of the HyFlyers.

“This young man is an amazing talent and destined for greatness. He would also look great in a HyFlers outfit,” Mickelson posted on X, including a winking emoji. LIV made its entrance into skilled golf by recruiting distinguished names from the PGA Tour, including Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka.

Koivun secured the Haskins Award, introduced to the top participant in school golf, as a freshman in 2024. He also obtained an honor bearing Mickelson’s identify, the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.

“College is so much fun and you have six to eight really, really close friends you’re playing and competing with every day,” said Koivun at the 2026 John Deere Classic.

“Out here it’s — you’re definitely by yourself. You have your select friends, but you’re still playing against each other and playing for a job.

“Definitely felt that a little bit last summer time, but I believe I’ll really feel a little bit more now; just mentally preparing to settle for that this is your life now and just attempting to take pleasure in it every step of the way in which.”

However, Koivun’s determination seems to have labored in his favor, as Koepka returned to the PGA Tour, while LIV Golf confronts a potential shutdown and Mickelson has been absent for practically all the season due to personal household issues.