Ben Griffin and Jackson Koivun chat before teeing off at the tenth hole during the first round of the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run on Thursday, July 2, in Silvis.
He knows how fickle golf can be and feeling his way through as a pro now is top of mind. Getting advice from veterans has helped his way.
“I’ve talked to a couple in the past but, yeah, they just tell me it’s definitely different and just to not try to rush into it too much and just enjoy it,” Koivun said.
To say the least, he is getting thrown into it in a big way this week. The first two days he is playing in a featured group alongside Griffin and Spieth.
“I’m just excited to see the crowds,” said Koivun, not shying away from the spotlight this week. “I got a pretty good pairing the first two days, so don’t really know what to expect. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”
Preston Stout
With Koivun turning pro this week and giving up his amateur status, Preston Stout is now the top-ranked amateur in the world.
The highly-decorated senior-to-be at Oklahoma State University comes into his third PGA Tour start with a steely resolve that catches your attention despite missing the cut in his only two previous events — The CJ Cup Byron Nelson and last month’s U.S. Open.
“… I feel like in my first few events I was just — my goal was to make the cut and seemed like I was always around the cut line,” said the 21-year-old. “So we talked this week, and going forward I need to have the same mentality I do when I tee it up for college events, which is to win.
“So I believe I can and I believe have the game to. Yeah, my goal is to win this week. I think that’s the mentality you need to have in any sport, in any event, is that you can win, so that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Stout also admitted to knowing the history of young guys doing well here — whether playing on sponsor exemptions as he is this week or coming in with status.