Tour Confidential: Scottie Scheffler arrest movies, U.S. Ladies's Open preview

Test in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest investigation and preview this week’s U.S. Ladies’s Open.

1. Extra information has come out within the days after Scottie Scheffler’s PGA arrest, because the Louisville Metro Police Division continues to research the incident and the protocols of the officers concerned. What’s principally circulated since, nonetheless, have been two partial videos of the incident. What did you be taught from them?

Jonathan Wall, managing tools editor (@jonathanrwall): Actually, not very a lot. The video footage was captured from poor places the place it’s tough to substantiate if Louisville Metro Police detective Bryan Gillis was actually “dragged” and injured by Scheffler’s car. 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 in opposition to Scheffler might be dropped. 

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The video — whereas grainy and largely unclear — appeared to corroborate Scottie’s facet of the story. It didn’t seem that he “dragged” Officer Gillis, and it regarded like Scottie stopped his car as quickly as he was approached turning into the 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 loads about this and the one factor I can come again to is that this: What on earth are we doing right here?!

We all know Scheffler was waved by to the doorway, similar to a number of of his friends. We all know Officer Gillis tried to cease him. We all 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. Misplaced in final week’s loopy PGA week was Tiger Woods’ missed cut at Valhalla, and his subsequent begin will now be the U.S. Open a few brief weeks away. How does Pinehurst No. 2 go well with Woods’ sport relating 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 gasoline on the second day. The USGA will crank up the issue at Pinehurst and he’ll seemingly must grind it out to make the weekend. Tiger’s presence on the majors is purpose sufficient to observe, however I’m not anticipating him to contend. 

Melton: Of all of the programs within the unofficial U.S. Open rota, Pinehurst No. 2 suits his sport the most effective. 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 everyday U.S. Open-style tough is absent. I’m nonetheless not bullish on his probabilities to contend, but when there have been ever a U.S. Open venue that fits Tiger’s present sport, Pinehurst No. 2 suits the invoice.

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

3. Jordan Spieth, a PGA Tour Coverage Board member, doubled down on his declare that talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are usually not in a nasty place, calling rumors saying in any other case a false narrative. But this got here simply days after the most recent board member, impartial 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 Coverage 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 assist? In fact not. However there’s no query smoke is emanating from Tour headquarters. 

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

Dethier: What indications do now we have {that a} deal is shut? Rory McIlroy stated there’s been no progress made. Tiger Woods stated there’s an extended strategy to go and that the state of affairs is fluid. Jimmy Dunne was so annoyed with the shortage 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 executed within the fast future. Right here’s what I’m shopping for: No person is aware of what’s going to occur. Within the occasion of some kind of reconciliation between excursions, no person 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 centered on not making a nasty deal. They might safe a PIF funding for the PGA Tour with out significant change within the skilled golf panorama. But when 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. Ladies’s Open kicks off on Thursday at Lancaster Nation Membership 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 received the primary main of the yr throughout what’s turning right into a historic season, however will her efficiency on this yr’s 5 majors in the end resolve how memorable her 2024 could be?

Wall: The majors are the benchmark. Successful 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 probably the most prestigious main in ladies’s golf, and profitable that trophy could be the largest win of her profession to this point. If Nelly retains the momentum going this week in PA, we are going to quickly be speaking about the place her season ranks among the many all-time greats. 

Dethier: The great thing about this week’s U.S. Ladies’s Open is that it’s the one occasion on the calendar that’s larger 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 in opposition to her.

5. What’s the most effective non-Korda storyline to observe at this week’s U.S. Ladies’s Open?

Wall: I feel it must be Rose Zhang. She received just lately and has the pedigree to go head-to-head with Nelly within the coming years. The U.S. Ladies’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 received two majors on her strategy to Participant of the Yr 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 Nation Membership present out. The U.S. Ladies’s Open has huge cash and massive status; now they’re headed to what appears like a really cool old-school Pennsylvania venue that we don’t know very nicely. How will it current — and what sort of take a look at will it current to opponents?