Decorated amateur Jackson Koivun’s first day as a professional didn’t go as scripted. The 21-year-old, fresh off sharing low-amateur honors at the 2026 U.S. Open, made his PGA Tour debut at the John Deere Classic and opened with a 2-over 73—then admitted nerves got the better of him.

"Yeah, it was definitely a little tough start. Never really got too settled into the round. Golf swing was a little off, but just kind of looking forward to tomorrow and go out there and put out a good score," he said in his post-round press conference.

Starting on the back side, he opened with pars on Nos. 10 and 11 before rolling in a birdie at the tough 220-yard par-3 12th. Things unraveled from there. Momentum stalled with back-to-back bogeys at 15 and 16, then another at 18, leaving him 2-over at the turn.

Koivun tried to fight back on his second nine. He fought back with birdies on the par-5 second and sixth, but bogeys at eight and nine undid the progress. He signed for a 73.

"I was just off today," Koivun told the PGA Tour reporters, as per ASAP Sports transcription.

"At the end of the day, not every round you play is going to be perfect. Like I said, it's kind of unfortunate I was off today, but there's no reason I can't go out there and play good tomorrow."

Before arriving in Silvis, Koivun had built one of the most decorated resumes in amateur golf history. Just three weeks earlier, he finished T23 at Shinnecock Hills as low amateur at the U.S. Open. None of that made Thursday feel easier for the former world No. 1 amateur.

None of that made Thursday feel easier for the former world No. 1 amateur.

"I didn't really expect to feel that nervous off the first, but I definitely felt it. Kind of hit it a little left and made a good par, but just didn't really have my A-game today," he said.

Jackson Koivun on being grouped with Ben Griffin and Jordan Spieth

For his first start as a professional, Koivun played with fellow pro Ben Griffin and two-time John Deere winner Jordan Spieth, a pairing he will keep for Friday as well. When asked whether playing alongside them added pressure, Koivun brushed it off.

When asked whether playing alongside them, in his first pro start, came with any added pressure, Koivun brushed it off.

"Not really. They're both great guys," he said during the same interview. "I know Ben and Jordan a little bit. We had a good time out there. I was able to chat and kind of enjoy being in Moline. I wouldn't say I was too intimidated."

At the 2025 Procore Championship, Koivun played in the final group with Griffin and finished with only two Ryder Cuppers ahead of him on the leaderboard. And he had already played with Spieth at the 2026 U.S. Open, when he was still an amateur.

"I've played with both of them before. They're great guys, and just happy to be a part of that group, yeah," Koivun said.

Most importantly, despite everything that went wrong for him on Thursday, Koivun is confident he can turn things around in Friday's second round.

"I know I can play well at this course," he added at the end of the same press conference. "I just need to piece a few things together and just get the putter rolling and hopefully can go shoot 8-under or 9-under tomorrow."

Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Koushik Biswas