Lucas Glover rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole Sunday at the 3M Open and then did something unusual.
Glover walked off the green, removed both of his shoes and then retrieved his ball from the hole.
Was Glover’s reaction a protest to AimPoint? He is a noted critic of the feel-based method where players use their feet to help gauge green slope.
Speculation and reports claimed that as the reason, but Glover did not speak to media immediately following his round. Hours later, the PGA Tour sent out a statement saying, “Lucas had been asked to be mindful of his spike marks on the green and was trying to be lighthearted.”
Glover confirmed the reason to GolfChannel.com:
“There were some complaints about my metal spikes marking up the greens from some guys behind me. Rules official notified me. Was just being silly, there’s no way to not mark up soft, damp bent greens. Oh, and we can tap down spike marks now.”
He later posted this on social media:
Alright, let’s clear this up.
For 23 years on the PGA Tour I’ve worn spikes. 23 years ago, most of us did. It hasn’t been that long since we were NOT allowed to tap them down. Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever had a complaint. I know there have been some pretty heated discussions and arguments between other players in years past about spike marks and knowing how to walk, but not since we’ve been able to tap them down. Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever been approached about my spikes. In the middle of the round, by an official, not a player. First of all, it’s not the officials place. I wasn’t breaking any rules. Secondly, there were people in the groups in front of me and behind me wearing metal spikes as well. The greens at 3M are bent grass, were soft, and appeared to have been watered a fair amount (because of the forecast I’d imagine). I don’t care what you wear on your feet, metal or soft spikes, in those conditions they are going to get beat up. I did my best around the hole to tap down my damage as I was leaving the area.
Have I mentioned that we can tap them down now? Or even fix a soft spike depression?
My demonstration yesterday had nothing to do with Aimpoint. I have no idea how anyone came to that conclusion. I took my shoes off to get my ball out of hole because that was literally the only way to not make any marks around the hole. Again, no matter what type of spikes were on my shoes.
Have I mentioned that we can tap them down now?
My biggest disappointment in all of this, is that a small faction of people are talking too much about this, a non issue, instead of Jackson Koivun.
Looking forward to The Rocket Classic this week. I’ll be wearing metal spikes, and the people playing behind me are still allowed to tap down the marks. Did I mention that?
Glover followed his theatrics with a triple bogey at the 11th hole. He made two birdies, a double bogey and a closing eagle-3 over the remainder of his round. After opening in 65 at TPC Twin Cities, he shot 70-72-72 to finish outside the top 50.