Phil Mickelson tried to recruit Jackson Koivun to LIV Golf before PGA Tour success
Phil Mickelson tried to recruit Jackson Koivun to LIV Golf before PGA Tour success
Kylee Hansen Mon, July 27, 2026 at 6:17 AM UTC
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Jackson Koivun made waves at the 3M Open (Image: Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson attempted to recruit PGA Tour rookie Jackson Koivun to join LIV Golf approximately a year ago. Koivun claimed victory at the 3M Open, with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler among the contenders pursuing him.
The PGA Tour newcomer began his professional journey by missing the cut, though he quickly rebounded with a top-10 finish at the ISCO Championship.
Nearly a year ago, Mickelson had one remaining slot on the HyFlyers GC roster, and the six-time major champion made his intentions clear to sign the record-breaking amateur and Auburn standout Koivun, who will lose a huge chunk of prize money from first PGA Tour win.
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Koivun's recent achievements include sharing low amateur honors at the U.S. Open with Ryder Cowan, and he's been on veteran professional Mickelson's watch list for some time.
After Koivun chose to remain with the American tour, Mickelson successfully recruited Ole Miss graduate Michael La Sasso, who forfeited playing in the 2026 Masters to sign with the Saudi-backed league.
Koivun claimed $1.548 million in prize money after emerging victorious in the 3M Open (Image: undefined)
Koivun's collegiate achievements captured Mickelson's interest, as he needed to fill a vacancy on his LIV Golf team, the HyFlyers, after Andy Ogletree's relegation last year. He subsequently expressed his appreciation for the 21-year-old, indicating on social media that he would try to persuade the young golfer to join the HyFlyers.
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"This young man is an amazing talent and destined for greatness. He would also look great in a HyFlers outfit," Mickelson posted on X, adding a winking emoji. LIV made its entrance into professional golf by recruiting prominent names from the PGA Tour, including Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka.
Koivun secured the Haskins Award, presented to the top player in college golf, as a freshman in 2024. He also received an honor bearing Mickelson's name, the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.
"College is so much fun and you have six to eight really, really close friends you're playing and competing with every day," said Koivun at the 2026 John Deere Classic.
"Out here it's -- you're definitely by yourself. You have your select friends, but you're still playing against each other and playing for a job.
"Definitely felt that a little bit last summer, but I think I'll feel a little bit more now; just mentally getting ready to accept that this is your life now and just trying to enjoy it every step of the way."
However, Koivun's decision appears to have worked in his favor, as Koepka returned to the PGA Tour, while LIV Golf confronts a potential shutdown and Mickelson has been absent for nearly the entire season due to personal family matters.
Source: “AOL Sports”
