- Jackson Koivun needed a birdie to tie for the lead on the event’s par-four 18th
- NCAA Individual Championship Winner Receives Masters Exemption
Auburn freshman Jackson Koivun learned the hard way that golf can be a cruel sport during the 2024 NCAA Championships.
The 19-year-old suffered a blow during the college singles tournament at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, on Monday, when he saw his title hopes dashed with an unfortunate bounce.
Koivun, who won the Ben Hogan Award and SEC Player of the Year this year, topped the par-four 18th knowing that a birdie would tie Georgia Tech’s Hiroshi Tai atop the leaderboard.
After placing his drive in a perfect position to attack the flag, Koivun marked his approach right at the flag.
However, he was ironically too accurate with his shot as he was the victim of a devastating bounce when the ball hit the flagpole and bounced, skipping into the greenside bunker.
Auburn freshman Jackson Koivun suffered a serious blow during the NCAA Championships
Instead of heading to the clubhouse with an eagle and the outright lead, Koivun was forced to settle for a couple of ups and downs and a share of second place in the individual championship, one shot behind Tai.
Koivun can take solace in having helped the Tigers seal a spot in the NCAA men’s golf team championship later this week after finishing sixth at 19-and-over.
But Koivun not only missed out on the title, he also missed out on a trip to the 2025 Masters.
With his victory, Tai received an exemption to the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 next month and the 2025 Masters, as he remains an amateur.
The 22-year-old will become the first Singaporean to play in the Masters, if he does so at Augusta National next April.
Tai survived a triple bogey on his 17th hole with a final par for a one-under 71, and it was enough to win the NCAA men’s golf title.
It also helped the Yellow Jackets narrowly join the eight teams advancing to match play to compete for the team title.
Tai became the fourth Georgia Tech player to win the NCAA individual title and the first since Troy Matteson in 2002.
The freshman headed to the par-four 18th hole, knowing a birdie would tie the lead. Koivun missed the win against Georgia Tech sophomore Hiroshi Tai by one stroke. With his victory, Tai received an exemption to the 2024 US Open and the 2025 Masters.
Tai, who spent two years in the Singapore Navy before enrolling at Georgia Tech, finished with a three-under 285 for a one-stroke victory over five players.
Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent, last year’s NCAA champion, and Virginia’s Ben James were the last two players who had a chance to force a playoff, needing a birdie on the par-5 18th.
Both chose to hit the three-wood to ensure they didn’t hit the water on the left, although neither had a chance of reaching the green. Sargent was in a very difficult situation and was lucky to get a free drop because his feet were in the path of the car.
James missed his birdie attempt from 15 feet and shot 73. Sargent hit a wedge that came off the slope to six feet. His birdie hit the left edge of the cup and pulled away. He closed with a 72.
Keynote USA
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