Lucas Glover Makes Strong Push at Players Championship, Threatening Leaders
Lucas Glover stands out as professional golf's most admirable player, distinguished by his straightforward honesty and resilience. At age 45, he's currently contending at the Players Championship, sitting at seven under par and four shots off the lead.
Glover's journey includes overcoming the yips, a significant putting challenge he faced head-on. He worked with two unconventional coaches: Ward Jervis, a firefighter from Paducah, Ky., and Jason Kuhn, a former Navy SEAL sharpshooter. Their expertise in breathing techniques under stress has proven invaluable to his game.
His transformation is evident in his putting confidence. "There's just a confidence in what I've been able to do and learn," Glover says, noting he now makes challenging putts that would have troubled him just three years ago.
Notable achievements include winning the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black as the last player to win without wearing a golf glove. Beyond golf, Glover completes the New York Times crossword puzzle daily in pen and offers candid insights about the sport's changing landscape, famously stating "Meritocracy is dead" regarding guaranteed money in professional golf.
His approach to the game reflects deep self-awareness and maturity. "What you realize over time is that nobody else's opinion of what you do really matters. In golf, what you do is what you do," Glover shared during a recent conversation in New York.
Currently ranked 44th in the world, Glover continues to demonstrate his value to the sport through his precise play, quick pace, and authentic character. His evolution from an excitable young player to a composed veteran showcases the mental tools and confidence he's developed throughout his career.