Full Breakdown
Koivun Leads 3M Open After Record-Setting Back-Nine Surge
7/26/2026, 12:49:14 PM
Background & Context
The 2026 3M Open is being contested at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. Rookie Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old former Auburn standout who turned professional a month earlier, entered the tournament with high expectations after a standout amateur career that included the Phil Mickelson, Haskins, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus awards.
Timeline
- July 23, 2026 – First round begins. Koivun tees off on the second tee.
- July 24, 2026 – Second round; Koivun walks to the 15th green.
- July 25, 2026 – Third round; Koivun posts a 61 with a back-nine 28.
- July 26, 2026 – Final round scheduled; coverage starts on Golf Channel at 1 p.m. ET, moving to CBS at 3 p.m. ET.
Core Event: Koivun’s 61 and Back-Nine 28 Propel Him to Lead
On Saturday, July 25, Koivun carded a 61 (10-under) that included an 8-under 28 on the back nine—the lowest back-nine score ever recorded at the 3M Open. He opened the back nine with a birdie at the 10th, then eagled the par-5 12th and the par-5 18th, adding six birdies for a total of two eagles and six birdies. The round lifted him to -20, three strokes ahead of the nearest competitors.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who shot a 64 (7-under) in the same round, finished tied for the clubhouse lead at -14 after stringing together five birdies and an eagle on the back nine. His eagle came on the drivable 16th; a missed long eagle putt on the 18th left him a birdie.
Data & Statistics
| Player | 3-Round Total | Relation to Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Koivun | -20 | Solo leader |
| Emiliano Grillo | -17 | Tied for second |
| Ben Kohles | -17 | Tied for second |
| Michael Brennan | -16 | T-4 |
| Chandler Phillips | -16 | T-4 |
| Denny McCarthy | -15 | T-6 |
| Billy Horschel | -15 | T-6 |
| Michael Kim | -15 | T-6 (after 59 on Friday) |
| Scottie Scheffler | -14 | T-9, six shots back |
Michael Kim’s historic 59 on Friday (12-under) dropped to a tie for sixth after a 70 on Saturday.
Official Statements & Responses
Tournament officials confirmed that the final round will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, with CBS taking over at 3 p.m. ET, providing live coverage of the decisive day.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I kept myself in the tournament with a good back nine today,” — Scottie Scheffler
What’s Next
Sunday’s final round on July 26, 2026 will see Koivun paired with Grillo, teeing off at 1:40 p.m. ET. Scheffler, six shots behind, will need a low-scoring round to challenge the lead. The broadcast schedule outlined by Golf Channel will allow viewers to follow the action from the opening tee times through the closing holes.
