Amateurs James, Koivun and La Sasso Grateful for Opportunity to Compete
By: Doug Milne
Unlike most professional sports, the grace of golf is that it’s out there and inviting to folks from all walks of life without regard to size, age, skill level or economic standing. That clear green, so to speak, affords countless individuals the opportunity to pursue their passion and make their (ball) mark.
Every year, the John Deere Classic helps pave the way for a number of up-and-coming amateur players amid their personal journeys.
This year’s event speaks volumes to that tradition, as the top three players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking are in the field by way of sponsor exemptions.
University of Virginia rising senior and two-time First Team All-American Ben James began the week at No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. The 6’2” Milford, Connecticut native offset two bogeys with five birdies, three of which came on his last four holes (Nos. 15, 17 and 18), good for a 3-under 68.
“I just hung in there and grinded without trying to do anything too fancy,” James said. “Nos. 17 and 18 are really important driving holes. I killed one on 17, leaving me with just a 6-iron in, and then hit another really good tee shot on 18, which I was able to follow with a good approach to about seven feet. Making that to finish with back-to-back birdies felt really good. It was a pretty solid start.”
This week’s John Deere Classic marks James’ ninth career start on TOUR and third of the season (T33/Valero Texas Open, MC/U.S. Open).
“I’ve made more and more friends with each start out here on the PGA TOUR, so it’s really nice coming here this week to the John Deere Classic knowing a lot of the guys,” he said. “It makes for meaningful, personal conversations. Because of that, I feel really comfortable being here and hope to use the week to continue growing that friendship circle. To me, that’s what it’s about…loving the game and making new friends.”
Topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking is Auburn University rising junior, Jackson Koivun. Highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 second hole, the 20-year-old opened his sixth career start on the PGA TOUR with an even-par 71.
“I felt like my game was in a pretty good spot,” said the past winner of such collegiate-level awards as the Haskins Award, Nicklaus Award and SEC Player of the Year. “I could’ve capitalized on a few more things, but if I’m a little smarter off the tees, I’ll be good for tomorrow.”
Koivun, who’s father hails from Moline, has made two of three cuts this season, with a best showing of T48 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.
“It’s great to get starts in PGA TOUR events, with this one at the John Deere Classic being extra special because of my dad growing up here,” he said. “This one is really special for me. I have so many great memories and highlights from being here watching the tournament as a kid. Hopefully, I can make a few more of those special memories here.”
In what was an up-and-down round beginning on No. 10, Michael La Sasso, a rising senior at Ole Miss and NCAA individual champion, birdied five of his first eight holes before taking a quadruple bogey at the par-4 18th. With just four pars through his first 13 holes, the Raleigh, N.C. native would eventually sign for a 4-over 75.
La Sasso, who sits at No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is making his third career start on TOUR and comes off missed cuts at the 2025 U.S. Open and 2025 Rocket Classic.
James, Koivun and La Sasso will begin Friday’s second round of the John Deere Classic six, nine and 13 strokes back of Doug Ghim’s 9-under 62 lead, respectively. Koivun will begin his second round Friday at 8:46 a.m. off No. 10, while James (No. 10) and La Sasso (No. 1) tee off at 8:46 a.m.
Green in many circles represents the luck of the Irish. But, to these three journeymen, green serves as symbolic of an opportunity to continue plowing their way forward in Silvis, Illinois at the John Deere Classic.