RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Lucas Glover has hit out at the official who complained about his metal spikes during the final round of the 3M Open in a lengthy statement on Instagram.
Many will have seen a bizarre incident involving the 2009 US Open champion during Sunday’s round at TPC Twin Cities.
After holing a putt, Glover could be seen heading to the side of the green where he removed his shoes and walked over to retrieve his ball from the hole in just his socks.
He then walked away from the greens with his shoes in his hand.
Lucas Glover explains his actions at the 3M Open
Initially, there was a feeling that Glover was making a statement regarding his frustrations with AimPoint. Glover has previously called for AimPoint to be banned .
Glover subsequently cleared up that he was making a point after receiving complaints for wearing metal spikes on the greens in Minnesota.
And he has now taken to social media to provide a much more detailed explanation, insisting that he is upset at the prospect of his antics taking some of the attention away from eventual winner Jackson Koivun.
Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
He wrote: ‘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 an official’s 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 the 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.’
Glover went on to provide one final reminder that spike marks can be tapped down now.
Lucas Glover showed why he is such an asset to the PGA Tour
It is extremely classy of Glover to point out that all of the focus should be on Koivun after such an impressive victory from the youngster – in only his third professional start on the PGA Tour.
But it is also fair to say that the incident involving Glover showed exactly why the 46-year-old is such an asset to the tour.
Obviously, some would have taken his behaviour badly. However, he is a character who is not afraid to speak his mind, on or off the golf course.
The PGA Tour needs figures like Glover around. Plenty of people who could not even name the tournament he was playing in will have now seen the clip of him removing his shoes.
With that, it is often the spiky characters who give the fans the most to talk about.
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