Money train began in Oklahoma for U.S. Open champ

 Lucas Glover just pocketed $1,350,000 for winning the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park (Black Course).

That gives Glover career earnings on the PGA Tour in excess of $10.5 million.

Glover’s very first paycheck after turning pro came Sept. 23, 2001, at the Oak Tree Country Club East Course in Edmond, where he won the Oklahoma Open and pocketed $27,000.

Below is the story that appeared in The Oklahoman:

Glover uncanny, but victorious

BYLINE: John Rohde, Staff Writer

SECTION: SPORTS;

LENGTH: 586 words

DATELINE: EDMOND

Before he teed off Sunday for the final round of the Oklahoma Open, second-round leader Lucas Glover made up his mind even-par would be a good score.

Par is precisely what Glover shot on the Oak Tree Country Club East Course, but it came with a rather unnerving combination of six birdies, six pars and six bogeys.

His 9-under-par 201 tournament total was good for a three-shot victory over former Oklahoma All-American Grant Masson and TCU product Albert Ochoa.

The 21-year-old Glover, a member of the Walker and Palmer Cup teams this summer, earned a first-place check of $ 27,000 in his professional debut.

“I don’t really know what to say, except that I’m really happy,” said the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Clemson product.

Glover will make his debut on the PGA Tour at the Texas Open this week.

The $ 150,000 Open, sponsored by Oklahoma Ford Dealers, was the first stroke-play tournament Glover had played in seven weeks. His two previous outings were in the Walker Cup and U.S. Amateur, both match-play formats.