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Jackson Koivun explains what impressed him about Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in a practice round before the US Open

Jackson Koivun hits a tee shot at the Procore Championship, inset of Justin Thomas
Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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With the Ryder Cup just around the corner, it was always going to be difficult for a player not on Keegan Bradley’s team to catch the eye at the Procore Championship – but that is exactly what Jackson Koivun managed to do in Napa.

Jackson Koivun went into the Procore Championship off the back of two top six finishes on the PGA Tour. He ended up putting himself in the final group on Sunday at Silverado, one shot back of Ben Griffin and one ahead of Scottie Scheffler.

Ultimately, the 20-year-old ended up in a tie for fourth in California. It acted as further evidence that the tour has another superstar in their midst.

Certainly, many of those on and around the PGA Tour appear to be well aware of the kind of potential he has.

Jackson Koivun shares what he learned from Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas

Trevor Immelman felt Koivun should have already turned professional. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth made sure to get a look at the youngster ahead of the US Open at Oakmont earlier this year.

And speaking on The Smylie Show, Koivun explained what he took from the experience of playing alongside the pair, who boast five major titles between them.

Jackson Koivun hits his tee shot during the final round of the Procore Championship at Silverado
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

“I played Monday with JT and Jordan, and then Tuesday with just me and Jordan. But it’s just cool to see how they go about their business. They really dissect a golf course, they really know and figure out where they can miss the ball. I think that’s just something I could learn from them,” he said.

“Obviously, I’ll hit it so good, but at the end of the day, it’s not where your best shot is going to go, it’s where your worst shot is going to go, and how can I still score from there. And that’s just something I’ve been trying to figure out as I keep getting the opportunity to play out here.”

The area of the game Jackson Koivun is looking to improve after bright start to his PGA Tour career

Having been so impressive in his last three appearances, it would be no surprise to see Koivun follow in the footsteps of Nick Dunlap by winning as an amateur. In fact, the fall events provide a golden opportunity.

Scheffler was one of just two players to gain more strokes on the field with his approach play at the Procore Championship than Koivun. Meanwhile, the starlet was significantly better on the greens.

Strokes gained categoryScottie SchefflerJackson Koivun
Off the tee4.6140.816
Approach8.7977.460
Around the green1.097-0.748
Putting 1.6735.653
Total16.18213.182
Credit PGA Tour

Interestingly, Koivun was left in little doubt which area of the game he feels he needs to work on to close the gap to the professionals on the PGA Tour.

“Just wedges, their wedges are so good. I’m pretty good at wedges, but it’s just something you can always get better at. Inside of 150, you can make so much money in that area, just keep hammering those Trackman Combines or those Foresight games that I do by myself. It’s a complicated, but easy thing to do. It can be very tedious, especially for a guy like me. But I know if I can just get to 100 yards, I feel like I’m going to hit it inside 10 feet every time I’m in a pretty good spot,” he said.

There is a confidence and a determination about Koivun which is impossible not to be impressed by. It seems a matter of time before he confirms that potential with a victory.