Winner's Bag: Jackson Koivun's golf equipment at the 2026 3M Open - Yahoo Sports Canada
Jackson Koivun secured his first career victory on the PGA Tour at the 2026 3M Open in Minnesota. Koivun, a rising star, outlasted several major champions, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, in what was his 13th career start. The win was noted for Koivun’s composure throughout the final round.
Despite entering Sunday with a significant lead, Koivun maintained his performance, never giving his competitors an opening. His poise was a key factor, particularly with Scheffler making a charge. Observers noted that Koivun played like a seasoned professional, hitting fairways and greens, and executing lag putts effectively to close out the tournament.
Koivun’s Equipment Choices
For his victory at the 2026 3M Open, Koivun utilized a specific set of golf equipment. His driver was a Titleist GT2 (8 degrees) fitted with a Fujikura Speeder 661 TR X shaft. For his fairway wood, he opted for a Titleist GTS prototype (15 degrees) featuring a Graphite Design Tour AD DI-8 X shaft.
In his iron set, Koivun included a Titleist T250 (3) with a Graphite Design Tour AD HY-95 X shaft, a T100 (4), and 620 MB irons (5–9), all equipped with Project X 6.5 shafts. His wedge setup consisted of Titleist Vokey Design SM11 wedges (46, 50 degrees), with Project X 6.5 shafts, and additional wedges (54, 60 degrees) featuring Project X IO 6.0 shafts.
Koivun’s putting was supported by a Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 prototype putter. He used a Titleist Pro V1 golf ball and had Golf Pride ZGrip Cord grips for his full swing clubs, while his putter featured a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol GT grip.
Impact of Star Players and Future Tour Structure
The presence of Scottie Scheffler at the 3M Open significantly boosted ticket sales and drew large crowds, marking it as one of the Minnesota event’s biggest attractions in its history. The attendance was notably higher than usual, with Scheffler’s group drawing spectators across the entire course from Thursday through Sunday.
However, the PGA Tour is set to introduce a new two-track system in 2028. Under this system, players on the Championship Series will not be permitted to participate in events on the Challenger Series. While it remains uncertain which track the 3M Open will be part of in two years, the ability for star players like Scheffler to make one-off appearances in such tournaments may become a thing of the past.
This structural change could impact tournaments and local communities, as the draw of top players has historically generated significant interest and attendance. The Tour’s schedule was due for an overhaul, and the new rule aims to streamline the system, making the schedule and stakes clearer. Some believe that while it may be disappointing for communities accustomed to seeing major stars, the change is a necessary part of the Tour’s evolution.
The discussion around the new system also touches on whether these changes will fully address the underlying issue of attracting viewership, given that only a limited number of golfers consistently draw large audiences. The question remains how lower-profile events will fare without the guaranteed presence of golf’s biggest names.
The 2026 men’s major season also saw some unexpected winners. After several years of dominant performances from stars like Rory, Scottie, Bryson, and Xander, the year featured three consecutive surprise major champions: Aaron Rai, Ryan Fox, and Wyndham Clark. Clark notably secured his second U.S. Open title.
Despite not adding to his major title count in 2026, Scottie Scheffler continued to perform strongly in major tournaments, finishing outside the top 10 in only two of the last three years. The 2026 Open Championship was particularly memorable for a dramatic final hole, adding to the season’s notable moments.
The PGA Tour’s new structure aims to create a more understandable schedule, ensuring that every event contributes to a clear progression rather than a series of disconnected tournaments. This shift is intended to provide more clarity for players and fans alike, starting in 2028.
Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com
