Jackson Koivun is in a familiar kind of pressure spot for someone only in his third event as a professional. At the 3M Open, he led after 54 holes with David Flynn on the bag, giving the young player a chance to turn a strong week into a breakout result.
The setup is notable not just because Koivun is early in his pro career, but because Flynn brings a long track record as a caddie. Flynn began caddying in 2014, and his experience has already become part of the story around Koivun’s early professional run.
A caddie with a long runway
Koivun and Flynn had already spent time together during the latter stages of Koivun’s amateur career before he turned professional. That continuity matters, especially for a player still adjusting to life on the PGA Tour.
Koivun’s path to this point also gives the pairing added context. Before turning pro, he had a low amateur finish at the 2026 US Open the day before he made the jump. That background helps explain why he has been able to settle in quickly, even as the week at TPC Twin Cities put him into contention against a full PGA Tour field.
Flynn’s background has also included work with several other professionals, including Ryan Fox, Wyndham Clark, Trey Mullinax, Troy Merritt and Kevin Tway. For Koivun, that means he is getting steady guidance from someone who has seen different styles, different careers and different types of pressure.
What it means at the 3M Open
Leading after 54 holes does not guarantee anything, but it does say plenty about how quickly Koivun has adapted. For a player in just his third professional event, the chance to control a PGA Tour tournament this late in the week is an important step.
The 3M Open has given Koivun a chance to show that his game can travel beyond amateur success and into real contention as a pro. With Flynn beside him, he has both experience and continuity working in his favor as he looks to finish the job.
