Lucas Glover insisted that kicking off his shoes during the final round of the 3M Open in Minnesota was to prevent spike marks, not a protest against AimPoint. The former U.S. Open champion removed his shoes before walking across the water's edge in socks to retrieve his ball after a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-four 10th hole.

TV commentators suggested Glover's action was a silent protest against AimPoint, which critics say slows play and damages greens. But Glover took to Instagram Monday to clarify: "My demonstration yesterday had nothing to do with Aimpoint... 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."

Glover said he was approached by an official about a complaint regarding spike marks, noting other golfers wore metal spikes. Since 2019, the USGA and R&A have allowed players to tap down spike marks. Glover, a six-time PGA Tour winner including the 2009 U.S. Open, said he'll wear metal spikes in Detroit this week and noted players behind him can still tap down marks.