TOP 20 IN THEIR 20s: No. 8  Editor's Note: Our "Top 20 in Their 20s" series continues as PGATOUR.com counts down the top golfers on the PGA TOUR aged 20-29 over the next week. The list is based on 14 statistical categories, including TOUR wins, Official World Golf Ranking, percentage of time spent in the top 10 throughout their career and 2007 FedExCup performance. Get to know No. 8: Lucas Glover.
With a Southern drawl as sweet as tea and a demeanor that's just the same, it's hard not to be a fan of Lucas Glover. But the South Carolina native, who married his high school sweetheart, tends to fly under the radar. That is until Saturdays, when his name suddenly appears on the leaderboard.
His ninth-place third-round scoring average is much lower than even Tiger's and Phil's, which frequently puts him into contention on Saturdays. And like many young players, he hits the ball a long way. Although Glover has only one TOUR win under his belt, the 2005 FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World Resort, he rarely finishes lower than 35th. Despite high finishes, the two-time NCAA runner up out of Clemson is the first to tell you he sets the bar higher for himself. "My expectations for myself are a lot more than what have been put on me," Glover said. "I think it's probably true for a lot of players out here. You shoot 66, and you want to shoot 65. Nobody is ever happy. You shoot the best round of your life, and you miss a 6-footer. My expectations of myself are very high, and I haven't reached where I think I should be." Where does Glover want to be? One place he wanted to be by September was Royal Montreal Golf Club playing in the Presidents Cup. Glover was outspoken about his desire to make the Ryder Cup team last year and represent the United States in a team competition. But he fell short just before the PGA Championship. With a Captain's pick, Glover got his Presidents Cup wish and helped make Jack Nicklaus proud with a win for the U.S. Team.
"I don't think there should be an American player that doesn't think about it," Glover said. "It's an honor and a goal for all of us I hope. I know it is for me." Glover played hard this summer in order to attain that goal. After missing the cut at the U.S. Open, Glover went on a tear going tied for 10th, tied for 12th, and tied for 11th before a tie for 27th at the British Open Championship. In addition to a hot summer on the TOUR for Glover, his performance in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup aided him in his quest to make the U.S. Team. Qualifying to compete in three of the four events, Glover finished the season with 93,900 FedExCup points and in 35th place in the standings. And after the team's win in Canada, he followed up his excellent season with a top-25 finish in the Ginn sur Mer Classic. |
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