Lucas Glover’s Shoe Removal Incident at the 3M Open Explained
During the final round of the 3M Open, professional golfer Lucas Glover removed both of his shoes on the 10th green after sinking a 10-foot birdie putt, an action later confirmed by the PGA Tour and the player to be a lighthearted response to complaints from following competitors about his metal spikes marking up the soft, damp bentgrass greens.
Golf tournaments frequently feature equipment debates, but few rounds include mid-match footwear theatrics. According to the PGA Tour and reporting from GolfChannel.com, the incident unfolded after a rules official notified Glover that players following his group had complained about spike marks left on the putting surface.
“There were some complaints about my metal spikes marking up the greens from some guys behind me,” Glover told GolfChannel.com. “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.”
The moment drew immediate speculation across social media and broadcast booths. Many observers questioned whether Glover was staging a silent protest against AimPoint, a feel-based green-reading method that relies on a player’s feet sensing slopes. Glover has frequently criticized the technique in past interviews. However, both the PGA Tour’s official statement and Glover’s direct comments debunked the protest theory, clarifying that the gesture targeted the ongoing discussion surrounding metal spikes and soft putting surfaces.
Impact on Glover’s Round at TPC Twin Cities
The shoe-removal moment preceded a turbulent stretch of scoring for the veteran golfer at TPC Twin Cities. Immediately following his theatrics on the 10th green, Glover carded a triple bogey on the par-4 11th hole.
Glover’s scorecard for the remainder of the round included two birdies, a double bogey, and a closing eagle-3. After starting the tournament with a strong opening-round 65, he followed up with rounds of 70, 72, and 72, ultimately finishing outside the top 50 players on the leaderboard.
Did you know?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Lucas Glover take off his shoes at the 3M Open?
Lucas Glover removed his shoes after a rules official informed him that players in the groups behind him complained about metal spikes marking up the soft greens. Glover stated he was being silly because soft bentgrass naturally takes marks from footwear.
Was Glover protesting AimPoint green reading?
No. While spectators and commentators initially speculated the action was a protest against the foot-based green-reading method—a technique Glover has criticized previously—both the PGA Tour and Glover confirmed the gesture was solely a reaction to the spike mark complaints.
How did Glover finish the tournament?
After opening with a 65 at TPC Twin Cities, Glover shot subsequent rounds of 70, 72, and 72 to finish outside the top 50.
Join the Conversation
What do you take away from equipment debates and spike mark discussions on the PGA Tour? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates from the professional golf circuit.
Keep reading