But Wendi and Greg Simpson weren't pulling just for Glover -- as he reeled in the US Open title at soggy Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. -- they were also rooting on his coach.
Mike Taylor, Glover's coach, is Wendi's brother.
"It was his birthday [Monday]; that's one heck of a birthday present for Mike," noted Wendi Simpson.
Indeed, Taylor watched in person -- Simpson said her brother was flown via private jet to New York on Monday morning when it became clear that Glover was in the running for the crown -- as his pupil finished at 4-under 276, getting just the second win of his career.
Glover is based out of Sea Island, where he is the club's head teaching pro. Both he and his sister were raised on Jekyll Island.
"He's played golf all his life and went into the teaching side of things," said Simpson. "Lucas [who is from Greenville, S.C.] will come down and take lessons from him. And he'll go out to tournaments on Monday and walk through the course with him. Then he'll come back because the players aren't allowed to have contact with coaches after that."
Simpson said that Taylor also helps coach PGA Tour player Boo Weekley.
"His career has just taken a whole different turn," she said of Taylor. "He's been able to go all over the world and see all these different courses. It's been amazing."
On Monday it may have elevated even beyond amazing.
Lucas Glover kisses his trophy after winning the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., on Monday. / photo: Associated Press
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