Phil Mickelson has already offered clear verdict | Golf News

Back in September, Phil Mickelson made his intentions crystal clear about wanting to recruit top beginner Jackson Koivun for his LIV Golf squad, and now Koivun has demonstrated precisely why by outperforming Jon Rahm and quite a few other professionals in a key side of the sport.

Mickelson turned professional back in 1992 and has loved exceptional success throughout his profession. He’s captured six major championships and been runner-up at the U.S. Open on six events.

His triumph at the 2021 PGA Championship made him the oldest major champion ever at age 50, and he now leads the HyFlyers GC as captain. It comes after Mickelson despatched a message to Tiger Woods after his latest injury update.

Koivun, at the moment a junior at Auburn, has now climbed to the top spot in Data Golf’s all-time beginner rankings following his T4 efficiency at the Procore Championship.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever seen his hands, but they are totally torn up. Every golfer’s are . . . but he just doesn’t stop,” said Koivun’s mom during the second spherical of the Procore.

“Jackson likes to come in under the radar. He’s not one to be showy or anything else. He works really hard, even on Monday, after the Walker Cup, he was out here practicing. That’s how he’s built. It’s kind of emotional. He’s done a lot of growing in the past few years. He’s transformed a lot this summer.”

Koivun’s stellar efficiency at the Procore Championship noticed him card a 1-under 71 on Sunday, securing a tied-fourth end at 16-under, merely three strokes behind champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

This exceptional outcome made Koivun the first beginner since Ken Venturi in 1956 to obtain three straight top-ten finishes on the PGA Tour.

Mickelson immediately took to social media following the conclusion, posting on X: “This young man is an amazing talent and destined for greatness. He would also look great in a HyFlyers outfit.”

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Koivun also contributed to the United States’ Walker Cup triumph last month and continues building an extraordinary document that’s already capturing the discover of seasoned professionals. Koivun now overtakes major names to declare the top spot in Data Golf’s beginner rankings.

Rahm is second, adopted by Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Luke Clanton, and quite a few other acknowledged golfers.

Koivun has loved a distinguished collegiate profession, capturing the 2025 and 2024 SEC Player of the Year honors, 2024 Freshman of the Year recognition and first group All-SEC choice in 2024.