PGA Tour newcomer Jackson Koivun fired a 10-under-par 61 on the way to taking the third-round lead at the 3M Open on Saturday at Blaine, Minn.
Koivun, in his just third tournament as a professional, holds a three-shot lead on Ben Kohles and Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo going to Sunday’s final round at TPC Twin Cities.
Koivun, who announced last month that he would forgo his senior collegiate season at Auburn to turn pro, finished on a tear with two eagles on the backside that allowed him to play the final 10 holes in 9-under. That contributed to a tournament-record 28 on the backside, rolling in a 14-foot eagle putt on the last hole.
Koivun’s bogey-free round included an eagle 3 on No. 12.
Grillo and Kohles also were without bogeys on the way to posting 65s. Grillo eagled No. 18 shortly after Koivun accomplished that. Kohles, the first-round leader, had three birdies on both sides.
Michael Brennan (63) and Chandler Phillips (66) are tied for fourth place at 16 under.
Michael Kim, fresh off Friday’s 59, was unable to maintain the momentum, shooting 70 and joining Denny McCarthy (64) and Billy Horschel (65) at 15 under. Kim had only one birdie until No. 16 on Saturday.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had his best round of the tournament with 64 to move to 14 under, holding a share of first place when he left the final green. Competing in the tournament for the first time, he posted an 8 under score on the backside, highlighted by an eagle with a chip from the greenside rough on the par-4 16th.
Davis Thompson and Ireland’s Seamus Power were early finishers with 63s, also among those at 14 under before other golfers got rolling. Brian Harman (66) is at 14 under as well.
Defending champion Kurt Kitayama shot 66 to move to 10 under.
