The PGA Tour veteran’s emotional outburst reveals more about wounded pride than what’s best for golf

Lucas Glover’s recent comments on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio have been making waves, but not for the reasons he might hope. The 2009 U.S. Open champion’s declaration that he “doesn’t want LIV golfers back” sounds less like principled leadership and more like a wounded ex refusing to forgive.

“I don’t want to play with them, me personally,” Glover said. “I don’t think they should be back here, I don’t want them here.”

It’s a stance that might feel satisfying in the moment, but it’s ultimately shortsighted and hurts the sport we all love.

The Loyalty Trap

Look, I get it. Glover stayed loyal when the Saudi money came calling, and he’s had success since then. That deserves respect. But turning that personal choice into a crusade against reunification? That’s where he loses me.

“They made their decision, and I don’t blame any of them,” Glover said, before immediately contradicting himself by essentially blaming them for everything. “I don’t want somebody who chose another path – a path of less resistance – coming back and taking part of my pie.”

Here’s the thing, Lucas – it’s not just your pie. Golf belongs to all of us, and keeping the best players separated because of hurt feelings isn’t helping anyone.

The Hypocrisy of “Less Resistance”

Glover’s comment about LIV being “a path of less resistance” is where his argument really falls apart. Let’s be honest about what happened here. These weren’t players looking for easy money – they were offered life-changing sums that would secure their families’ futures for generations.

Would Lucas have turned down $100 million? Maybe, but it’s easy to take the moral high ground when you’re not the one being tested. And calling it “less resistance” ignores the fact that these players knew they’d face criticism, bans, and constant scrutiny. That doesn’t sound like the easy path to me.

Missing the Forest for the Trees

What’s most frustrating about Glover’s position is that he actually understands the bigger picture – he just chooses to ignore it. He admits that bringing back the top LIV players would “benefit all of us” and help secure a better TV deal in 2030.

“The top four, five, six players over there, if they were playing on the PGA Tour it would benefit all of us,” he said. But then he immediately backpedals because of his emotions.

This is exactly the kind of thinking that’s holding golf back. We’re letting personal grudges override what’s best for the sport.

The Fans Deserve Better

Here’s what Glover seems to forget: golf fans didn’t choose sides in this corporate warfare. We just want to see the best players compete against each other every week, not just four times a year at majors.

When Jon Rahm crushes it at the Masters or Bryson bombs drives at the U.S. Open, we’re reminded of what we’re missing. These artificial barriers aren’t protecting the integrity of the game – they’re diminishing it.

The Tour’s Strength Position

Glover’s right about one thing: the PGA Tour is in a strong negotiating position. They’ve weathered the storm, their product is still compelling, and they’re moving forward successfully. But that strength should be used to bring the best players back, not to keep them out.

“I don’t think we even care anymore, we’re focused on going forward,” Glover said. That attitude might feel empowering, but it’s ultimately self-defeating. The strongest move would be to welcome back the talent that makes golf better.

What We’re Really Missing

Let’s be clear about the talent on LIV. Bryson DeChambeau just won the U.S. Open – again. Jon Rahm was the world’s No. 1 player when he left. Brooks Koepka still moves the needle. Joaquin Niemann has been one of the most consistent players in the world.

These aren’t washed-up veterans looking for a payday. These are difference-makers who would elevate every tournament they enter.

The Real Bottom Line

Lucas Glover’s comments reveal everything that’s wrong with the current state of professional golf. We’re prioritizing hurt feelings over competitive excellence, and emotional grudges over fan experience.

The PGA Tour veteran said someone advised him to “take emotion out of it,” but he’s “still having a hard time with it.” That’s exactly the problem – this decision shouldn’t be about emotion at all.

Golf is bigger than any one player’s feelings about loyalty and betrayal. The sport deserves to have its best players competing together, and fans deserve to see the highest level of competition every week.

Glover’s stance might feel righteous, but it’s actually what’s holding golf back from reaching its full potential. It’s time to move past the bitterness and focus on what would truly make the game better.