Scottie Scheffler arrest videos, USWO preview

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about Scottie Scheffler’s arrest investigation and preview this week’s U.S. Women’s Open.

1. More information has come out within the days after Scottie Scheffler’s PGA arrest, because the Louisville Metro Police Department continues to analyze the incident and the protocols of the officers concerned. What’s largely circulated since, nevertheless, have been two partial movies of the incident. What did you study from them?

Jonathan Wall, managing tools editor (@jonathanrwall): Honestly, not very a lot. The video footage was captured from poor areas the place it’s tough to substantiate if Louisville Metro Police detective Bryan Gillis was actually “dragged” and injured by Scheffler’s automobile. Throw in that Gillis’ physique digital camera wasn’t activated — which violates LMPD coverage — and you’ve got a extremely questionable case at finest. The footage doesn’t strengthen the division’s case in any respect. If something, it will increase the likelihood that the 4 expenses towards Scheffler will likely be dropped. 

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The video — whereas grainy and largely unclear — appeared to corroborate Scottie’s aspect of the story. It didn’t seem that he “dragged” Officer Gillis, and it seemed like Scottie stopped his automobile as quickly as he was approached turning into the car parking zone. 

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): I’ve parsed by the video footage and I’ve learn the case file and I’ve thought lots about this and the one factor I can come again to is that this: What on earth are we doing right here?!

We know Scheffler was waved by to the doorway, identical to a number of of his friends. We know Officer Gillis tried to cease him. We know some kind of misunderstanding ensued. And we all know it was a chaotic morning with heightened feelings. Why we’re spending any extra time, power or sources on that is past me.

2. Lost in final week’s loopy PGA week was Tiger Woods’ missed reduce at Valhalla, and his subsequent begin will now be the U.S. Open a few brief weeks away. How does Pinehurst No. 2 swimsuit Woods’ recreation in relation to each the walkability of the course and Tiger’s strengths? Are you anticipating extra from him in his subsequent begin?

Wall: Tiger lacks aggressive reps and appears to expire of fuel on the second day. The USGA will crank up the issue at Pinehurst and he’ll probably must grind it out to make the weekend. Tiger’s presence on the majors is motive sufficient to look at, however I’m not anticipating him to contend. 

Melton: Of all of the programs within the unofficial U.S. Open rota, Pinehurst No. 2 matches his recreation one of the best. It’s a course that requires precision with the irons on method photographs and creativity across the greens, each of that are Tiger’s strengths. The course additionally shouldn’t actual as a lot of a bodily toll on his physique because the course doesn’t characteristic a lot undulation and the standard U.S. Open-style tough is absent. I’m nonetheless not bullish on his possibilities to contend, but when there have been ever a U.S. Open venue that fits Tiger’s present recreation, Pinehurst No. 2 matches the invoice.

Dethier: I’m unwilling and unable to stop Tiger Woods and totally count on him to make the reduce at Pinehurst. But I wrote a bit about Woods’ week at Valhalla and located his conclusion fairly unhappy: He can’t play effectively for 4 days except he will get extra aggressive reps. But his physique can’t deal with extra aggressive reps. There was an unsaid conclusion: Therefore, he can’t play effectively. We’ll confront that actuality if and when we now have to. We’re not fairly there but.

3. Jordan Spieth, a PGA Tour Policy Board member, doubled down on his declare that talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are usually not in a foul place, calling rumors saying in any other case a false narrative. Yet this got here simply days after the newest board member, unbiased director Mark Flaherty, stepped down from the board (six days after Jimmy Dunne resigned). Which spin are you shopping for?

Wall: I’m not shopping for something Spieth is promoting. The Tour’s Policy Board is in harm management after Dunne and Flaherty stepped down from their Tour posts. Do you count on anybody to confess talks are on life help? Of course not. But there’s no query smoke is emanating from Tour headquarters. 

Melton: I’m undecided what narrative I purchase, however I do know that shedding two board members in six days isn’t precisely encouraging information. I’m not optimistic {that a} deal will get performed at this level. 

Dethier: What indications do we now have {that a} deal is shut? Rory McIlroy stated there’s been no progress made. Tiger Woods stated there’s an extended solution to go and that the scenario is fluid. Jimmy Dunne was so pissed off with the dearth of progress that he stepped down from the board. My finest guess is that Spieth is okay with the place issues are as a result of he’s okay with not getting a deal performed within the speedy future. Here’s what I’m shopping for: Nobody is aware of what’s going to occur. In the occasion of some kind of reconciliation between excursions, no one is aware of what would occur to LIV. And with out some kind of reconciliation, what’s the purpose of any of this? So Spieth and his friends are targeted on not making a foul deal. They could safe a PIF funding for the PGA Tour with out significant change within the skilled golf panorama. But if I’m a golf fan rooting for LIV stars to return to the PGA Tour by the top of the season, I’m not holding my breath.

4. The U.S. Women’s Open kicks off on Thursday at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, the place it’s no shock that Nelly Korda, winner of six of her final seven begins, is the heavy betting favourite. Korda already gained the primary main of the 12 months throughout what’s turning right into a historic season, however will her efficiency on this 12 months’s 5 majors in the end determine how memorable her 2024 is perhaps?

Wall: The majors are the benchmark. Winning six of the final seven is insanely spectacular — and a type of was a significant. It’s a historic season even when Korda doesn’t win one other main. (I nonetheless assume she’ll get yet one more to maneuver it into one other stratosphere.)

Melton: Nelly’s 2024 has already been historic, however a win in Lancaster would catapult it into one other stratosphere. The USWO has lengthy been essentially the most prestigious main in girls’s golf, and profitable that trophy could be the most important win of her profession so far. If Nelly retains the momentum going this week in PA, we’ll quickly be speaking about the place her season ranks among the many all-time greats. 

Dethier: The fantastic thing about this week’s U.S. Women’s Open is that it’s the one occasion on the calendar that’s greater than the storyline of what’s going to Nelly do, however nonetheless — win or lose, her efficiency be a defining characteristic of the week. I’m not betting towards her.

5. What’s one of the best non-Korda storyline to look at at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open?

Wall: I believe it must be Rose Zhang. She gained just lately and has the pedigree to go head-to-head with Nelly within the coming years. The U.S. Women’s Open could be the proper place to stage a battle for the ages. 

Melton: I’m to see if Lilia Vu is wholesome sufficient to compete, not to mention contend. She was a pressure final season as she gained two majors on her solution to Player of the Year honors, however her 2024 marketing campaign has been outlined by accidents. If anybody had been to problem Nelly throughout this run, the 2023 model of Lilia Vu could be as much as the duty. It’s a disgrace she hasn’t been wholesome sufficient this season to be an element.

Dethier: I’m intrigued to see Lancaster Country Club present out. The U.S. Women’s Open has large cash and large status; now they’re headed to what appears like a really cool old-school Pennsylvania venue that we don’t know very effectively. How will it current — and what sort of check will it current to opponents?