Michael Thorbjornsen didn't want to be left behind.
The 24-year-old has been a PGA Tour pro for more than two years, but last month he had one of the biggest eye-opening moments of his career. Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old phenom, won in his third professional start, holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to take the trophy at the 3M Open. For a majority of the PGA Tour, it was a reminder that the young kids are good, and they're coming for the top.
For Thorbjornsen, it was a wake-up call.
"Comparison is a thief of joy, but it has helped me and hurt me at times when I see other people having success and doing well when I know I can compete with them," Thorbjornsen said. "When Koivun won, that was a big motivating factor."
Thorbjornsen and Koivun are both graduates of PGA Tour University, a program designed to give the top collegiate players direct access to the PGA Tour. PGA Tour U started as an idea on a sheet of paper back in 2018. Now, it has become one of the most essential pipelines to the Tour, and in recent weeks has shown it belongs even in the new professional golf ecosystem with numerous victories from alums.
#scottie #open
The 24-year-old has been a PGA Tour pro for more than two years, but last month he had one of the biggest eye-opening moments of his career. Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old phenom, won in his third professional start, holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to take the trophy at the 3M Open. For a majority of the PGA Tour, it was a reminder that the young kids are good, and they're coming for the top.
For Thorbjornsen, it was a wake-up call.
"Comparison is a thief of joy, but it has helped me and hurt me at times when I see other people having success and doing well when I know I can compete with them," Thorbjornsen said. "When Koivun won, that was a big motivating factor."
Thorbjornsen and Koivun are both graduates of PGA Tour University, a program designed to give the top collegiate players direct access to the PGA Tour. PGA Tour U started as an idea on a sheet of paper back in 2018. Now, it has become one of the most essential pipelines to the Tour, and in recent weeks has shown it belongs even in the new professional golf ecosystem with numerous victories from alums.
#scottie #open
3 days ago
