Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss Scottie Scheffler’s arrest investigation and preview this week’s U.S. Women’s Open.
1. More news has come out in the days after Scottie Scheffler’s PGA arrest, as the Louisville Metro Police Department continues to investigate the incident and the protocols of the officers involved. What’s mostly circulated since, however, have been two partial videos of the incident. What did you learn from them?
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Jonathan Wall, managing equipment editor (@jonathanrwall): Honestly, not very much. The video footage was captured from poor locations where it’s difficult to confirm if Louisville Metro Police detective Bryan Gillis was truly “dragged” and injured by Scheffler’s vehicle. Throw in that Gillis’ body camera wasn’t activated — which violates LMPD policy — and you have a highly questionable case at best. The footage doesn’t strengthen the department’s case at all. If anything, it increases the possibility that the four charges against Scheffler will be dropped.
Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The video — while grainy and largely unclear — seemed to corroborate Scottie’s side of the story. It didn’t appear that he “dragged” Officer Gillis, and it looked like Scottie stopped his vehicle as soon as he was approached turning into the parking lot.
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): I’ve parsed through the video footage and I’ve read the case file and I’ve thought plenty about this and the only thing I can come back to is this: What on earth are we doing here?!
We know Scheffler was waved through to the entrance, just like several of his peers. We know Officer Gillis tried to stop him. We know some sort of misunderstanding ensued. And we know it was a chaotic morning with heightened emotions. Why we’re spending any more time, energy or resources on this is beyond me.
2. Lost in last week’s crazy PGA week was Tiger Woods’ missed cut at Valhalla, and his next start will now be the U.S. Open a couple of short weeks away. How does Pinehurst No. 2 suit Woods’ game when it comes to both the walkability of the course and Tiger’s strengths? Are you expecting more from him in his next start?
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Wall: Tiger lacks competitive reps and seems to run out of gas on the second day. The USGA will crank up the difficulty at Pinehurst and he’ll likely have to grind it out to make the weekend. Tiger’s presence at the majors is reason enough to watch, but I’m not expecting him to contend.
Melton: Of all the courses in the unofficial U.S. Open rota, Pinehurst No. 2 fits his game the best. It’s a course that requires precision with the irons on approach shots and creativity around the greens, both of which are Tiger’s strengths. The course also shouldn’t exact as much of a physical toll on his body as the course doesn’t feature much undulation and the typical U.S. Open-style rough is absent. I’m still not bullish on his chances to contend, but if there were ever a U.S. Open venue that suits Tiger’s current game, Pinehurst No. 2 fits the bill.
Dethier: I’m unwilling and unable to quit Tiger Woods and fully expect him to make the cut at Pinehurst. But I wrote a bit about Woods’ week at Valhalla and found his conclusion pretty sad: He can’t play well for four days unless he gets more competitive reps. But his body can’t handle more competitive reps. There was an unsaid conclusion: Therefore, he can’t play well. We’ll confront that reality if and when we have to. We’re not quite there yet.
3. Jordan Spieth, a PGA Tour Policy Board member, doubled down on his claim that talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are not in a bad place, calling rumors saying otherwise a false narrative. Yet this came just days after the latest board member, independent director Mark Flaherty, stepped down from the board (six days after Jimmy Dunne resigned). Which spin are you buying?
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Wall: I’m not buying anything Spieth is selling. The Tour’s Policy Board is in damage control after Dunne and Flaherty stepped down from their Tour posts. Do you expect anyone to admit talks are on life support? Of course not. But there’s no question smoke is emanating from Tour headquarters.
Melton: I’m not sure what narrative I buy, but I do know that losing two board members in six days isn’t exactly encouraging news. I’m not optimistic that a deal gets done at this point.
Dethier: What indications do we have that a deal is close? Rory McIlroy said there’s been no progress made. Tiger Woods said there’s a long way to go and that the situation is fluid. Jimmy Dunne was so frustrated with the lack of progress that he stepped down from the board. My best guess is that Spieth is okay with where things are because he’s okay with not getting a deal done in the immediate future. Here’s what I’m buying: Nobody knows what’s going to happen. In the event of some sort of reconciliation between tours, nobody knows what would happen to LIV. And without some sort of reconciliation, what’s the point of any of this? So Spieth and his peers are focused on not making a bad deal. They may secure a PIF investment for the PGA Tour without meaningful change in the professional golf landscape. But if I’m a golf fan rooting for LIV stars to return to the PGA Tour by the end 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, where it’s no surprise that Nelly Korda, winner of six of her last seven starts, is the heavy betting favorite. Korda already won the first major of the year during what’s turning into a historic season, but will her performance in this year’s five majors ultimately decide how memorable her 2024 might be?
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Wall: The majors are the benchmark. Winning six of the last seven is insanely impressive — and one of those was a major. It’s a historic season even if Korda doesn’t win another major. (I still think she’ll get one more to move it into another stratosphere.)
Melton: Nelly’s 2024 has already been historic, but a win in Lancaster would catapult it into another stratosphere. The USWO has long been the most prestigious major in women’s golf, and winning that trophy would be the biggest win of her career to date. If Nelly keeps the momentum going this week in PA, we will soon be talking about where her season ranks among the all-time greats.
Dethier: The beauty of this week’s U.S. Women’s Open is that it’s the one event on the calendar that is bigger than the storyline of what will Nelly do, but still — win or lose, her performance be a defining feature of the week. I’m not betting against her.
5. What’s the best non-Korda storyline to watch at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open?
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Wall: I think it has to be Rose Zhang. She won recently and has the pedigree to go head-to-head with Nelly in the coming years. The U.S. Women’s Open would be the perfect place to stage a battle for the ages.
Melton: I’m interested to see if Lilia Vu is healthy enough to compete, let alone contend. She was a force last season as she won two majors on her way to Player of the Year honors, but her 2024 campaign has been defined by injuries. If anyone were to challenge Nelly during this run, the 2023 version of Lilia Vu would be up to the task. It’s a shame she hasn’t been healthy enough this season to be a factor.
Dethier: I’m intrigued to see Lancaster Country Club show out. The U.S. Women’s Open has big money and big prestige; now they’re headed to what looks like a very cool old-school Pennsylvania venue that we don’t know very well. How will it present — and what type of test will it present to competitors?
