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

During the final round of the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, officials approached veteran golfer Lucas Glover about alleged metal-spike marks on the greens. After making a birdie putt on the 10th hole, Glover removed his shoes and retrieved his ball in socks, saying the action was necessary to avoid further damage.

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Glover, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, posted on Instagram that the complaint was the first he had received in his 23-year PGA Tour career. He emphasized that he had tapped down any damage as he left the area and that other players in his group also wore metal spikes. Glover rejected the notion that his act was a protest of the AimPoint green-reading system, stating he had no idea how that interpretation arose.

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The incident unfolded as rookie Jackson Koivun secured his first PGA Tour victory, holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler with a closing 5-under 66 for a tournament-record 25-under 259 total. Glover finished tied for 57th at five under par and will compete in the upcoming Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

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In his Instagram message, Glover asserted that officials, not fellow players, raised the spike-mark issue and that he was not violating any rule. He expressed frustration that the controversy diverted attention from Koivun’s win, and he reaffirmed his intention to continue using metal spikes while noting that players behind him are still permitted to tap down marks.

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

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

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• “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

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• “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

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

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