Golf’s subsequent megastar is on the U.S. Open. And a bogey greatest tells his story

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Golf’s subsequent massive factor had a pre-U.S. Open press convention on Monday. As a result of he’s golf’s subsequent massive factor. And golf’s subsequent massive issues have pre-U.S. Open press conferences. 

In entrance of the cameras, golf’s subsequent massive factor smiled at most each query, and each reply was delivered as if a smile had a tone. On the left aspect of golf’s subsequent massive factor’s black polo was a cursive M, the emblem of Malbon, golf’s subsequent massive factor’s new clothes sponsor. Golf’s subsequent massive factor sounded and appeared like golf’s subsequent massive factor. 

In fact, you have to see golf’s subsequent massive factor do his factor, which is to play golf, and it’s one thing.  

His transfer is electrical. His placing stroke is hypnotic. The accomplishments are many. [Deep breath now …] He’s the world’s top-ranked novice. This season, whereas a junior at Auburn College, he performed in 13 tournaments — and gained six. His Tigers simply gained their second nationwide title in three years. He’s the primary participant in school golf historical past to win all three participant of the yr awards (Haskins, Hogan, Nicklaus) greater than as soon as. The listing of what he hasn’t carried out is shorter than the listing of what he has. 

However for those who actually need to know golf’s greatest factor, let Jackson Koivun inform you a few bogey. A scorecard sq. in a sea of circles. 

The plus-one got here earlier this month on the NCAA nationwide championship’s match-play staff closing, the place, on the par-4 ninth gap, Koivun was caught after two pictures. “I hit myself in in all probability the worst spot, simply short-sided,” he mentioned Monday. “Like one out of 10 it stays on the inexperienced.”

He went proper. Secure. Bogey. Smart, good, good.  

From over the inexperienced, Koivun’s opponent “type of messes up.” Double bogey.

Koivun gained the opening. Koivun gained the match. The Tigers gained the title. 

“In order that was undoubtedly one I type of lucked out on,” he mentioned.

Perhaps.

Perhaps not. Hear extra to Koivun. He’s 21, however may very well be mistaken for a quantity someplace across the age of this week’s 135-year-old host, Shinnecock Hills. Final week, he introduced he was turning professional, becoming a member of the PGA Tour via its school program — however factor is, he may have carried out so final yr. 

However the then-college sophomore mentioned he wasn’t prepared. 

“I feel my golf recreation was there,” Koivun mentioned. “I simply assume I wasn’t prepared to go away school, and mentally simply wasn’t prepared for the potential hardships and the journey and every little thing like that.

“However taking one other yr to actually wrap my thoughts round that was good for me, and now I’m undoubtedly prepared.”

What did he study over the previous yr?

What he wanted extra of, he mentioned. 

“Simply maturity,” Koivun mentioned. “That’s just about my reply. I simply gave myself one other yr to develop, develop as a human being, mentally and bodily and every little thing like that.”

These, after all, are simply phrases, and Koivun is well-spoken. 

However Shinny makes no exceptions, and it takes no prisoners. Its mounds confound. Its wind slaps. Koivun mentioned he watched when the U.S. Open was final performed right here, in 2018 (when he was 13!) “I simply keep in mind it regarded actually onerous,” Koivun mentioned. “Clearly, guys are hitting shifting balls on the inexperienced; it’s dicey. You watch some guys simply hit some pictures in locations, and if you’re youthful, it’s simpler to say, effectively, how did he try this? Now you come out right here, and also you’re like, OK, effectively, that makes much more sense now.”

Which is to say Shinnecock is onerous onerous. And there’s his play finally yr’s U.S. Open, his debut on the nationwide championship. He missed the lower at Oakmont, one other considered one of golf’s cathedrals. “Oakmont was onerous, for positive,” he mentioned. 

However keep in mind, that is golf’s subsequent massive factor. 

And golf’s subsequent massive issues aren’t simply made small, irrespective of the problem, irrespective of the venue, irrespective of the event. That’s why they’re golf’s subsequent massive issues.  

And Koivun is that. 

“For me, it’s simply discovering acceptance in golf,” he mentioned. “Clearly coming into any occasion, I’m going to attempt to win it, however not pushing too onerous and accepting that, such as you mentioned, it’s not a recreation the place you win each week. 

“So understanding that and getting that via the pinnacle and simply carry on going.”