Lucas Glover Wins at Quail Hollow!

Clemson alum Lucas Glover (turned pro in '02) had a jam up weekend, winning the Wells Fargo Open in Charlotte.  Glover (-15) was the class of the field (carding a score in the 60's each day of the event) and clearly on his game over the four day event.  Glover was able to defeat former Clemson teammate Jonathan Byrd is extra holes Sunday to take the event.  Lucas, who has experienced some ups and downs in his personal life over the past year, showed a ton of grit after hitting a poor drive on the 72^nd hole Sunday (par'ed out from the gallery).

This win seems to come out of nowhere for Glover.  He missed the past three cuts and, just before the event at Harbour Town, Glover said that he would basically be working on some things in his golf swing for at least the first half of this season.  I guess the work really paid off as, in addition to the sweet mountain man beard, Glover ended a winless streak dating back to the '09 US Open.

We also need to discuss Byrd's weekend.  JB led going into Sunday and forced a playoff by scoring a birdie on the difficult 18^th hole.  We all were happy to see the former Clemson teammates duking it out for the $1 million + purse on CBS and give both of these guys mad props for being in an elite group atop professional golf. 

On a personal note, I am a little PO'ed that I passed up on clubhouse passes earlier in the week and wish I had gone to Charlotte today to see this.  Golf is an excellent spectator sport and probably my most favorite athletic event to capture in person.

Outside of the Clemson crew, I was a little miffed by one Padraig Harrington.  This guy allegedly teed up in front of the marker.  The allegation came from a spectator and forced Paddy and Phil to examine the 13^th tee-box over an hour after they played the hole.  I really think the PGA needs to step in and remove all of this tom foolery.  Golf is the last of the gentlemen's games.  The players police themselves and there are constant rules officials on the course to examine each stroke played.  Golf cannot be held hostage to viewer complaints and such.  Again, it is a gentlemen's game where each of the participants compete against the course and themselves.  They and the officials police themselves and the game is really bigger than the player.  I would like to see the PGA Tour include only players and officials in the scoring/penalty process, as this is, by design, a game of honor.

Miller Moss won the NCAA Men's Heptathlon today and Brianna Moss won the women's 60m hurdles!

Well at least today didn't turn out all bad.

I am not sure how closely everyone here follows the game of golf.  While the weather is still uncooperative for the sport in the Southeast (we are still a couple weeks away from a comfortable leisurely tee time), there are many reasons that the Clemson family should be watching the sport over the course of this year.  While I know the fever probably won't take hold until the par-3 tourney at the National in April, we will try to get you at least partially excited here in February.

Clemson has a nice golf tradition that keeps on building.  Clemson currently has three Tour players who are very capable of securing a victory any given week.  There are also a host of Tigers on the Nationwide and Hooters/eGolf tours who are potential future stars.  We cannot promise the frequency of golf updates but do want everyone to realize that there is a nice crop of young players constantly moving through CU.  This long list of Tiger professional golfers is a tribute to the golfing talent in this state and Clemson coach Larry Penley's ability to further develop talent once these guys get on campus.

This was a substantial list, so please let us know if there are any other former Tigers out there lighting it up on the links and we will adjust appropriately.

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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Lucas Glover has won the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.

Getting only the second victory of his PGA Tour career, Glover finished a final round of 3-over 73 Monday afternoon to win by two strokes over Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ricky Barnes.

Glover took the outright lead with his lone birdie of the day at the par-4 16th and held on, taking home $1.35 million for the victory. He was 4 under for the championship.

Defending champion Tiger Woods finished even par and in a tie for sixth, four shots behind Glover.

Which means Clemson wins the US Open!