Ponte Vedra, Fla. — When Lucas Glover won the 2009 US Open with Beth Page Black, it seemed he turned out to be the typical One-Hit Wonder Journeyman.
And for a while it seemed to go that way.
Glover won again in 2011, and won for about 10 years before winning the John Deere Classic in 2021. That breakthrough proved to be a rebirth of Glover, who will win twice in 2023.
Now, after the opening round of the athletes championship at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday, the 45-year-old Glover is taking the lead with Kamiroville Gas and JJ Span, who have not won since 2014. All three are 6 under par after shooting 66 seconds.
They are being tracked by five-under par Rory McIlroy, Billy Horchel and Min Woolly.
There are logjams from 4-under players, including Alex Smalley, Stephen Jegger, Aaron Lye, Bud Corey, Denny McCarthy and Chandler Phillips.
Two-time defending champion Scotty Scheffler, who is scheduled to go to the unprecedented 3-peat, is three shots from the lead after filming a 69.
Asked about finding a “young fountain,” Glover said, “I'm motivated and dedicated. Honestly, I just don't want to do it at 45.”
He said he won in 2021.
Glover's low rounds were highlighted by many top players struggling on the venerable stadium course. Viktor Hovland shot over 80 over 80, Max Homa Shot 79, Justin Thomas and Matthew Fitzpatrick 78s and Tony Finau A 76.
“That's what this place is about. There's always some really good scores, there's always really bad scores,” Glover said. “The margins are thin here, like saying Augusta or Bayhill. You'll go down a little, you can hurry and make big numbers.
“Today, I happen to have a lot of good numbers, lots of good gardens, I can be aggressive, and I putt with greatness. Whenever you get off to a good start, it gives you confidence.”
Asked what his difference was at age 45, Glover said: I'm pretty excited. I have to suppress it from time to time. Places like this must be kept in the way that it is too aggressive.
“I'm still thinking about losing a short putt and hitting bad shots like everyone else, but I have some tools in my brain and my bag.
“That's probably the biggest difference. I'm confident in what I can and learn.”
Glover put a birdie in the final four holes to close the round in style.
“There were a lot of people at 15, so it was a green light. [par-5] 16, if you hit it on the fairway, you feel you should make a 4. I drew a good lie on the rumour on the left. At 17, I happened to know Pat over the years before and bumped into it and read too much.
“Then the wind switched at 6pm and I suddenly helped. It was an eight iron number and eventually hit a nine. Then gravity took over for me and I pulled it to the left.
