Videos of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, USWO preview

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @igalofu_com. This week, we discuss the investigation into Scottie Scheffler’s arrest and preview this week’s US Women’s Open.

1. More news has come out in the days after the PGA arrest of Scottie Scheffler, as the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the incident and the motives of the officers involved. Most widely circulated since, however, have been two videos of the incident. What did you learn from them?

Jonathan Wall, mechanical editor (@jonathanrwall): Honestly, not much. The video was taken in poor areas where it is difficult to confirm that Louisville Metropolitan Police Detective Bryan Gillis was actually “dragged” and injured by Scheffler’s car. Throw in the fact that Gillis’ body camera was not activated — a violation of LMPD policy — and you have a very questionable case. The pictures do not confirm the door’s case at all. If anything, it increases the likelihood that the four charges against Scheffler will be dismissed.

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The video – while sweet and vague – seems to confirm Scottie’s side of the story. It did not appear that he “dragged” the officer Gillis, it seems that Scottie stopped his car when he came and turned into the parking lot.

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): I’ve gone through the video footage and read the case file and thought a lot about this and the only thing I can come back to is this: What on earth are we doing here?

We know that Scheffler was waved at the door, like many of his peers. We know that Officer Gillis tried to stop him. We know that there was some misunderstanding. And we know it was a chaotic morning with high emotions. Why we spend any more time, energy or resources on this is beyond me.

2. He missed last week’s crazy PGA week with Tiger Woods missing the cut at Valhalla, and his next start will now be the US Open in a few weeks. Pinehurst No. 2 how does it fit Woods’ game when it comes to both course speed and Tiger’s power? Do you expect more from him in his next debut?

Wall: Tiger has no competitive reps and seems to be running out of gas on day two. The USGA will increase the difficulty at Pinehurst and will have to grind it out to make the weekend. Tiger’s presence in the majors is reason enough to watch, but I don’t expect him to enter.

Melton: Of all courses on the US Open rota, Pinehurst No. 2 fits his game very well. It’s a course that requires iron accuracy in shots and creativity around the greens, both of which are Tiger’s strengths. The course also shouldn’t weigh too much on his body as the course doesn’t feature much rollback and the usual US Open-style rough is absent. I’m not bullish on his odds yet, but if ever there was a US Open venue that suits Tiger’s current game, it’s Pinehurst No. 2 fits the bill.

Dethier: I am unwilling and unable to give up on Tiger Woods and I fully expect him to make the cut at Pinehurst. But I wrote a little bit about Woods’ week at Valhalla and found his end pretty sad: He can’t play well for four days unless he gets competitive reps. But his body can’t handle competitive reps. There was an unspoken conclusion: Therefore, he cannot play well. We will deal with that fact when we have to. We are not there yet.

3. Jordan Spieth, a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board, reiterated his claim that negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are not in a bad place, calling the rumors another false narrative. However this happened just days after the most recent board member, independent director Mark Flaherty, resigned from the board (six days after Jimmy Dunne resigned). Which spin do you buy?

Wall: I’m not buying what Spieth is selling. The Tour Policy Board is doing damage control after Dunne and Flaherty stepped down from their Tour duties. Do you expect anyone to agree that conversations are based on life? Of course not. But there is no question that smoke is coming from Tour headquarters.

Melton: I’m not sure which narrative I’m buying, but I do know that losing two board members in six days is not exactly encouraging news. I have no hope that a deal will be made at this time.

Dethier: What indications do we have that a deal is near? Rory McIlroy said no progress had been made. Tiger Woods said that there is still a long way to go and he said that the situation is wet. Jimmy Dunne was so frustrated with the lack of progress that he resigned from the board. My best guess is that Spieth is okay with where things are because he’s okay with not getting a deal in the near future. Here’s what I’m buying: Nobody knows what’s going to happen. If some sort of reconciliation happens between tours, no one knows what will happen to LIV. And without some kind 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 PIF investment in the PGA Tour without meaningful change in the professional golf landscape. But if I’m a golf fan rooting for the LIV stars to return to the PGA Tour at the end of the season, I’m not stuck.

4. The US Women’s Open begins Thursday at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, where it’s no surprise that Nelly Korda, winner of six of her past seven, is the betting favorite. Korda has already won the first car of the year in what is shaping up to be a historic season, but will his performance in this year’s five majors ultimately determine how memorable his 2024 is?

Wall: The majors are the benchmark. Six of the last seven wins have been incredibly impressive – and some of them have been big. It’s a historic season even if Korda doesn’t win another major. (I still think he’ll get another one to take it into the stratosphere.)

Melton: Nelly’s 2024 year is already history, but a win at Lancaster will take it into another stratosphere. The USWO has long been the most respected minority in women’s golf, and winning that trophy would be the biggest win of her career to date. If Nelly keeps up his momentum this week in PA, we’ll soon be talking about where his season ranks among the all-time greats.

Dethier: The beauty of this week’s US Women’s Open is that one event on the calendar is bigger than the issue of what will you do nelly, but anyway – win or lose, his performance was the defining feature of the week. I’m not betting on him.

5. What’s the best non-Korda storyline to watch at this week’s US Women’s Open?

Wall: I think it should be Rose Zhang. He just won and has the pedigree to go head to head with Nelly in the years to come. The US Women’s Open will be the perfect place to put up a fight for the ages.

Melton: I want to see if Lilia Vu is healthy enough to compete, let alone compete. He was dominant last season as he won two majors en route to Player of the Year honors, but his 2024 campaign has been defined by injuries. If there is anyone to challenge Nelly in this run, the 2023 version of Lilia Vu will be on top. It’s a shame he hasn’t been healthy enough this season to make an impact.

Dethier: Nice to see Lancaster Country Club out. The US Women’s Open has big money and big prestige; now they’re headed to what looks like a very cool old-school Pennsylvania haunt. How will it present – and what kind of test will it present to its competitors?