World No. 1 amateur breaks Tiger Woods record, sets NCAA marks in Hawaii

Jackson Koivun had a historic debut at the Amer Ari Invitational in Hawaii.

The Auburn junior, who is the top-ranked amateur in the world, sits at 20-under 124 after two rounds of play in the Tigers’ spring opener at Mauna Lani Resort Golf. He shot back-to-back rounds of 62 to open the Amer Ari and thus added his name to the NCAA college golf record book.

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Koivun’s 20-under total is the lowest 36-hole score against par in NCAA history, breaking Tiger Woods’ mark of 18-under 126 at the 1996 Pac-10 Championship. Woods’ score is considered the 36-hole score against par record, according to college golf guru College Golf Book. Koivun’s total of 124 tied the lowest score record, which Sebastian Sandin of Lindsey Wilson College shot at the Lindsey Wilson Invitational on August 29, 2022.

If that wasn’t enough, Koivun would also be the first person in college golf history to shoot consecutive rounds of 62, let alone two rounds of 62 (or better) in the same tournament. He has 18 birdies, an eagle and 17 pars through 36 holes, and his lead is just two shots over Arizona State’s Michael Mjaaseth.

Two years ago, former Arizona State star Wenyi Ding set the all-time record in college golf at Amer Ari, finishing at 27-under 189. He had just one bogey through 54 holes. San Jose State’s Zubair Firdaus finished at 23-under 190 (par 71) in 2024 at the Alister McKenzie Invitational, the only other person known to have shot 190 or better.

For Koivun to tie Ding’s record on Saturday, he would need to shoot 7-under 65 in the final round. He would usurp Ding to the throne if he signed for 8 cents or better next Saturday.

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Auburn sits at 47 under as a team, leading Texas by four shots heading into the final round. The Longhorns are without one of their best players, as sophomore Daniel Bennett competes this week in the African Amateur Championship.

But the first two rounds belonged to Koivun, who has a PGA Tour card in his back pocket and proved he deserved his ranking as the world’s top amateur. Next Saturday, he’ll have a chance to see even more college golf history.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: World’s Top Amateur Breaks Tiger Record, Sets NCAA Mark in Hawaii