Home/Golf
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

The gallery at Sedgefield Country Club hushed as Jackson Koivun settled over a must-make putt during the final round of the 2025 Wyndham Championship. A few paces away, a calm figure, with a yardage book tucked under his arm, watched intently. That figure was David Flynn, the man carrying Koivun’s bag and, increasingly, a share of the spotlight as the 20-year-old Auburn star continues his remarkable rise.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

David Flynn’s own biography remains deliberately understated. Still, his Instagram handle @flynnywithay and images from the Wyndham Championship confirm his growing role at Koivun’s side. Caddies rarely court attention, yet Flynn’s steady presence is becoming part of Koivun’s narrative.

Jackson Koivun’s amateur resume is already the stuff of college golf legend. In 2024, he became the first male golfer ever to sweep all four major collegiate awards in a single season: the Ben Hogan, Fred Haskins, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Awards. That same spring, he helped Auburn capture the NCAA Team Championship and finished runner-up individually, missing the title by just one stroke.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The momentum carried forward. By 2025, he was a two-time SEC Player of the Year, a First-Team All-American both seasons, and earned academic honors with spots on the GCAA All-American Scholar list and the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Internationally, he represented the United States in back-to-back Arnold Palmer Cups (2024, 2025) and the 2025 Walker Cup. Most recently, he captured the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s top-ranked amateur and secured a PGA TOUR card through the University Accelerated Program: a pathway reserved for the game’s most exceptional prospects. Yet those who follow him closely know that every big moment has included Flynn walking right beside him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Their partnership has already seen pressure-packed moments. When Koivun chased an NCAA individual title as a freshman, finishing just one stroke shy, Flynn was the one helping him stay locked in. During Arnold Palmer Cup matches, when national pride can amplify nerves, Koivun leaned on Flynn’s calm presence to keep routines intact. Observers note that Koivun’s remarkable consistency: two consecutive seasons as First Team All-American and GCAA All-American Scholar owes in part to the preparation and quiet confidence that his caddie helps create.

As Koivun transitions from amateur dominance to the professional stage, Flynn’s role only grows in importance. The PGA Tour will test Koivun with tougher setups, relentless travel, and more intense media scrutiny. A caddie who already understands his rhythms, decision-making, and temperament can be a decisive asset. Flynn provides that continuity.

AD

Golf’s biggest stars often credit their caddies when trophies are raised, and Koivun seems poised for a similar story. With David Flynn on the bag, the Auburn standout has both the talent and the trusted partnership needed to turn elite amateur success into a thriving professional career, one measured not just in titles but in the steady footsteps of the teammate walking right beside him.

Up to now, we’ve focused on Jackson Koivun’s amateur dominance and the confirmed parts of his partnership with his caddie, David Flynn. The next big theme worth zeroing in on is how Koivun, through the

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What’s your perspective on:

Is Jackson Koivun the next big thing in golf, or just another flash in the pan?

Have an interesting take?

PGA TOUR University Accelerated pathway, earned a PGA Tour card while remaining in college, and how having a reliable caddie like Flynn could play a role in reaching that threshold.

Jackson Koivun goes pro through the PGA TOUR University Accelerated Program

Jackson Koivun’s journey from collegiate standout to PGA Tour member is remarkable not only for his trophies but also for how quickly he earned professional status. The PGA TOUR University Accelerated program rewards underclassmen who reach 20 points through major amateur and collegiate achievements. Each point comes from specific milestones such as national player-of-the-year awards, strong finishes in select PGA Tour events, or top positions in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. By spring 2025, Koivun was closing in on that threshold faster than any player before him, with consistent results that reflected both his talent and careful planning.

By March 2025, Koivun had already racked up 19 of the required 20 points, highlighted by making the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a performance that counted toward the program’s tally. His final push came at the NCAA Individual Championship in May, where a tie for fourth in stroke play secured the crucial last point. On May 26, 2025, the PGA Tour confirmed that Koivun had become the youngest player ever to earn a full PGA Tour membership through the Accelerated pathway, a milestone that placed him among the most accomplished amateurs in recent memory.

Koivun acknowledged the importance of that moment, telling Sports Illustrated, “It feels good to go out and earn it by playing some golf, and what better place to do it than when you’re surrounded by all your friends and teammates at the national championship.” Rather than turning professional immediately, he chose to return to Auburn University for his junior season, showing a deliberate approach to both his education and his game. That decision underscores a maturity beyond his years and a desire to keep honing his skills before tackling the grind of a full PGA Tour schedule.

Throughout this process, David Flynn’s presence as Koivun’s caddie provided steady support even if it didn’t show up on the official points list. From managing course strategy during key tournaments to helping Koivun stay composed when a single stroke could determine his PGA Tour future, Flynn’s quiet influence has been an asset. Their partnership, built on trust and careful preparation, ensured that Koivun could focus on each shot while chasing the achievements required by the program, making Flynn an important, if understated, part of Koivun’s rapid climb to the professional ranks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Is Jackson Koivun the next big thing in golf, or just another flash in the pan?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT