Lucas Glover Removes Shoes After Spike-Mark Complaint at the 3M Open

During the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover sank a 10-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole, then slipped off his shoes and walked in socks to retrieve the ball from the cup. He said the action was taken after an official approached him about metal-spike marks on the green. Glover finished tied for 57th at five-under par.

Fox News (website)

In an Instagram post the following Monday, Glover said the incident was his first ever complaint about spikes in his 23-year PGA Tour career. He emphasized that players are now permitted to “tap down” spike impressions, that other groups in front of and behind him also wore metal spikes, and that the greens were soft, bent-grass surfaces that would be damaged regardless of footwear. He added that the controversy diverted attention from rookie Jackson Koivun, who captured his first PGA Tour title that day.

ESPN

The PGA Tour confirmed that an official asked Glover to be “mindful” of his spike marks, citing the Tour’s rule that players may repair (tap down) any damage they create on the putting surface. The Tour’s guidance applies equally to metal-spike and soft-spike shoes, and officials noted that other competitors in the same groups were using metal spikes without incident.

ESPN

Television commentators initially suggested Glover’s shoe removal might signal a protest of AimPoint, a popular green-reading aid. Glover’s statements redirected the narrative toward the broader discussion of spike-mark etiquette and highlighted his frustration that the episode eclipsed Koivun’s historic win.

Fox News (website)

• “First of all, it's not the officials place," Glover said in his post.” — Lucas Glover, open champion

ESPN

• “I have no idea how anyone came to that conclusion," Glover said.” — Lucas Glover, open champion

ESPN

• “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.” — Lucas Glover, open champion

ESPN

• “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),” — Lucas Glover, open champion

ESPN

• “I'll be wearing metal spikes, and the people playing behind me are still allowed to tap down the marks,” — Lucas Glover, open champion

ESPN