Lucas Glover reveals truth behind bizarre barefoot incident that left golf fans confused

PGA Tour golfer Lucas Glover made a putt at the 3M Open in Minnesota before taking off his shoes and crossing the green to recover his ball.

Footage of the unusual incident has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times amid speculation that the 2009 US Open winner was taking a stand against AimPoint, a scientific method of green reading that has been criticised within the golf community for slowing down the game.

But Glover has cleared up the debate, revealing that the symbolic gesture was a response to a dispute about spike marks left near the hole by his footwear.

"Alright, let’s clear this up," Glover posted on Instagram.

"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 the 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?"

Rule 13.1c(2), which was introduced by the USGA in 2019, 'allows repair of almost any damage on the green' including shoe damage.

Glover is a vastly experienced player with six PGA Tour event wins to his name, most recently in the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis three years ago.

He missed the cut at the PGA Championship, his only major of 2026.

"My demonstration yesterday had nothing to do with Aimpoint," continued the 46-year-old.

"I have no idea how anyone came to that conclusion. 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.

"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."

21-year-old Koivun topped the leaderboard at TPC Twin Cities, claiming his first PGA Tour win in his third event since turning professional.

The young American beat compatriot Scottie Scheffler by three strokes. Glover was tied for 57th.