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Test 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 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 analyze the incident and the protocols of the officers concerned. What’s largely circulated since, nonetheless, have been two partial movies of the incident. What did you be taught from them?
Jonathan Wall, managing gear editor (@jonathanrwall): Actually, 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 car. Throw in that Gillis’ physique digicam 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 fees towards Scheffler will probably 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 regarded like Scottie stopped his car as quickly as he was approached turning into the car parking zone.
Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): I’ve parsed via 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 all know Scheffler was waved via to the doorway, similar to a number of of his friends. We all know Officer Gillis tried to cease him. We all know some type of misunderstanding ensued. And we all know it was a chaotic morning with heightened feelings. Why we’re spending any extra time, power or assets on that is past me.
2. Misplaced 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 go well with Woods’ sport on the subject of 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 doubtless need to 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 sport the very 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 precise as a lot of a bodily toll on his physique because the course doesn’t function 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 sport, 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. However I wrote a bit about Woods’ week at Valhalla and located his conclusion fairly unhappy: He can’t play nicely for 4 days until he will get extra aggressive reps. However his physique can’t deal with extra aggressive reps. There was an unsaid conclusion: Subsequently, he can’t play nicely. We’ll confront that actuality if and when we have now 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 newest 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 injury 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 undecided 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 performed at this level.
Dethier: What indications do we have now {that a} deal is shut? Rory McIlroy stated there’s been no progress made. Tiger Woods stated there’s a protracted option to go and that the state of affairs 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 rapid future. Right here’s what I’m shopping for: No person is aware of what’s going to occur. Within the occasion of some type of reconciliation between excursions, no one is aware of what would occur to LIV. And with out some type of reconciliation, what’s the purpose of any of this? So Spieth and his friends are targeted on not making a nasty deal. They could 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 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 resolve how memorable her 2024 is likely to be?
Wall: The majors are the benchmark. Profitable six of the final seven is insanely spectacular — and a kind of was a significant. It’s a historic season even when Korda doesn’t win one other main. (I nonetheless suppose 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 thus 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 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 function of the week. I’m not betting towards her.
5. What’s the very best non-Korda storyline to look at at this week’s U.S. Ladies’s Open?
Wall: I believe it must be Rose Zhang. She received 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 drive final season as she received two majors on her option to Participant of the 12 months honors, however her 2024 marketing campaign has been outlined by accidents. If anybody have 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 large status; now they’re headed to what seems like a really cool old-school Pennsylvania venue that we don’t know very nicely. How will it current — and what kind of check will it current to rivals?