It was a strange, long journey for Lucas Glover.
Since 2001, when Clemson University turned pro, the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black was the defining victory of four PGA Tour titles. Glover received a berth at the Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course, on the western tip of Bermuda.
Glover will be returning to Bermuda this week for the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. He’ll be competing in the 132-player field.
The 16th Tee at Port Royal Golf Club, Bermuda. (Mark Williams/PGA Tour)
This marker commemorates Glover’s win in the now-defunct tournament, which included four major winners. It is located on the back of the famous par-3 16 hole (235 yards), which requires a tee shot over a piece of land that hangs almost above the water. Glover had seen the plaque only in photos that his friends sent to him until Tuesday. Glover explained that his quote had less to do with the difficulty of the Robert Trent Jones Sr. shot than it was about the danger of falling off the South Shore Cliff.
“It is good to be back. Glover said that it’s always nice to return to a place you have experienced success. Glover is currently working as a caddie at Port Royal, where he also serves as the head golf professional. It’s been 13 years since the last time it happened, but it’s still nice to be back where you have some success.
Glover, 42 years old, ended a decade-long win drought at 2021 John Deere Classic. Glover also snuck in to the FedEx Cup playoffs last season. He had his best result this year at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and finished tied for third.
Let’s just say that I had a great Playoffs. He said that although it wasn’t an excellent year, he took advantage of Memphis to get there. “Yeah. I still feel like i can play out there.”
He returns to a course with a score of 6,828 yards. It is also the second-shortest among the Tour courses. However, it requires precision shotmaking. The fairways wind through the hills and are lined with whispering casuarina and blooming oleander. From its hilltop greens, stunning views can be seen of turquoise sea, coral rock formations, palm trees, and pastel-colored cottages. With views of Hamilton Harbor starting at No. 9, the back nine is more appealing. 11, 12 are more difficult because the wind blows frequently from the west. Seamus Power, who was T-12 last year, described it as a triumph in design over distance. He is one of 10 players who made the cut in each of the three editions.
“The course is designed for it, which is what I like. It helps you visualize some of the shots with wind direction,” Power said, noting that he has hit both a sand wedge as well as a 3-wood on his second shot at the par-5 7th hole, 517 yards. It’s fun. I’ve seen it in every wind at this point.
Power is the No. 48 player in the world, but there’s not much star power. Power, who is ranked 48th in the world, is the highest-ranked player in this field. There are only four other players in the top 100. Lucas Herbert, the defending champion, was absent as he chose to attend a wedding in Australia. A win here is a great thing. The champion will receive 500 FedEx Cup points for winning this event, which is a standalone event. European Tour Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and hungry Korn Ferry Tour grads like Taylor Montgomery, S.H. Kim and Caleb Surratt (18-year-old future star Caleb Surratt) are both in the field. John Daly, 56, is a fan favorite, while Caleb Surratt (18-year old freshman at Tennessee), has already proven that they belong in big leagues.
The 35-year old Irishman would happily accept a plaque at Port Royal Power if they decide to do so.
He said, “You walk back towards 8 tee and then turn around. It’s our first time seeing ocean on the course.” It’s a beautiful moment, I think. It’s like you’re looking at the sun reflecting off the water.
