Jackson Koivun moves three strokes up at 3M Open with third-round 61, tournament-record back nine

BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — New PGA TOUR member Jackson Koivun shot a 61 in the third round of the 3M Open on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead at 20-under par, setting a tournament record with a 28 on the back nine at the TPC Twin Cities.

Emiliano Grillo and Ben Kohles each shot a 65 and are tied for second at 17 under. Michael Brennan shot a 63 and shares fourth with Chandler Phillips at 16 under. Denny McCarthy, Billy Horschel and Michael Kim are in sixth at 15 under.

Scottie Scheffler, the world's top-ranked player, is six strokes behind Koivun in a four-way tie for ninth place with Davis Thompson, Seamus Power and Brian Harman.

The 21-year-old Koivun, who was the top-ranked amateur player after a standout college career at Auburn and turned pro last month following the U.S. Open Championship, had two eagles and six birdies to separate from the pack on a steamy and still afternoon that was ideal for low scores.

Koivun sank a 12-foot putt on the 12th green and a 14-footer on the 18th to eagle two of the three par 5s on the lake-filled course, which joined the TOUR schedule in 2019. Koivun, who tied for 10th two weeks ago at the ISCO Championship in Kentucky, shot a 64 on Thursday and a 68 on Friday.