Golf NIL Movement: Jackson Koivun reaches $2.5M Golf NIL Valuation

by Shon Crewe

April 17, 2026

Auburn's Jackson Koivun hits a new Golf NIL Valuation, up from $1.75 million to $2.5 million, off the back of one of the most dominant seasons in college golf history.

The Auburn junior won the Ford Collegiate this week for his tenth career college title, his second back-to-back stretch of the season after taking the Mason Rudolph Championship the week prior. Five wins in his last seven starts. He's one of 21 players in NCAA history, and one of two from the SEC, to reach double digits in career wins, while helping lead the No. 1 Tigers to three team wins and four runner-up finishes this season.

Jackson Koivun in his eighth professional start at the 2025 Wyndham Championship | David Beach, CSM

With seven cuts made in nine professional events, including two top-5 finishes and a PGA Tour membership already secured through PGA Tour University Accelerated, Koivun appears more than ready for the next stage. Under Accelerated, he can defer his card through his senior year, though given his trajectory, the expectation is he'll turn pro after his junior year.

No. 1 in the Golf NIL College Men's Rankings and No. 2 on the Golf NIL Top 10, Koivun is also back on the Ben Hogan Award semifinalist list for the third time after winning the award in 2024. He's aiming to join Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg as the only two-time winners.

The semifinalist list also includes several top-ranked Golf NIL names: Ben James (College Men's No. 3), Ethan Fang (No. 4), Christiaan Maas (No. 5), Preston Stout (No. 8), Tyler Weaver (No. 9), Filip Jakubcik (No. 10), Mahanth Chirravuri (No. 24), Harry Takis (No. 27), and Ryder Cowan (Top 40).

Koivun's NIL partners include Titleist, FootJoy, Betterment, Omni Hotels, Old Republic, Upper Deck, and Foresight Sports.