Jackson Koivun is first Auburn golfer to win Haskins award, college golf’s biggest honor

Auburn freshman Jackson Koivun was named the winner of the 2024 Fred Haskins Award on Tuesday, effectively the Heisman award equivalent for men’s college golf.

He is the first Auburn golfer to win the award and the first freshman since 2012, when then-Alabama golfer and now two-time major champion Justin Thomas won it.

Koivun also won the Ben Hogan Award this year, another one of the most prestigious individual honors in his sport.

He is a top 10 ranked amateur in the world who has already won an SEC individual championship, SEC team championship, NCAA regional team championship and came a bad bounce off the flagstick from an NCAA individual championship on Monday. He ultimately finished second, one shot behind the winner.

Winners of the award have gone on to major success on the PGA Tour. Last year’s winner, Texas Tech’s Ludvig Aberg, has already played in a Ryder Cup and finished second at this year’s Masters — his first major championship appearance. Other Haskins winners include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ben Crenshaw.

Four of the past five Haskins winners already have at least one PGA Tour win.

Koivun closed out Auburn’s NCAA quarterfinal win over Virginia on Tuesday before receiving his award on the course at the Omni La Costa golf resort in Carlsbad, California where the NCAA championship tournament is being held. Auburn, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, is matched up against Ohio State on Tuesday afternoon for a spot in the championship match.

Koivun has been a massive part of Auburn’s success this season. Koivun has now made the top five in 11 of his first 13 college starts including his win at the SEC individual championship.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]