Lucas Glover removes shoes at 3M Open over spike-mark issue

During the final round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open on Sunday, July 26, former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover created a stir by removing his shoes after sinking a birdie putt on the 10th hole at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. The unusual act was initially interpreted by many observers and commentators as a protest against the AimPoint green-reading technique, a method Glover has publicly criticized. However, Glover later clarified that his actions were a direct response to a complaint about his metal spike marks.

The incident occurred after Glover holed a 10-foot birdie putt. Instead of retrieving his ball immediately, he walked to the fringe, took off his shoes, and then approached the hole in his socks. While the on-course broadcast speculated about an AimPoint protest, Glover addressed the speculation directly on social media after his round. He stated his demonstration had nothing to do with AimPoint and was instead a lighthearted reaction to being asked by a tournament official during the round to be mindful of his spikes.

In a detailed statement, Glover explained that he has worn metal spikes for 23 years on tour and that this was the first time he had received such a...