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Scheffler’s Arrest – A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Published

1 year ago

May 23, 2024

Nobody had “#1 Ranked Golfer in the World, Scottie Scheffler Arrested as He Attempted to Drive into the Parking Lot at Valhalla Friday Morning” on their 2024 PGA Championship bingo card. It’s now seven days later and we have been provided with two videos of the incident and learned some details of the facts that led to this remarkable event. Based upon our review of videos, statements made by witnesses, statements made by the Mayor of Louisville and information obtained from a source within the Louisville Metro Police Department, the following is a summary of what we know so far.

At approximately 5:00 AM retiree John Mills, a volunteer working security for the event, was tragically struck and killed near “Entrance One” to the property by a shuttle bus. As a result of the investigation into this fatal accident, traffic was bottlenecked leading to the course and round 2 tee times had already been delayed by the PGA of America.

Police officers already assigned to the event had set up a check point approximately one mile from the parking lot entrance. They instructed those with certain credentials (competitors, caddies, tournament officials and media members) on the procedure to enter the grounds. Multiple competitors and media members confirmed this and stated that following these instructions they were able to and did in fact enter the parking lot that Scheffler was attempting to access. The dash cam footage provided at noon today confirms these facts. Countless cars and a few buses travelled “the wrong” way and successfully made the left hand from the “improper lane” to turn into the property.

Sources inside the Louisville Police Department had previously informed us that the officers assigned to the Championship are golfers and fans and were specifically selected to work the event. They also stated Detective Gillis is a member of the Highway Division and was at the scene solely due to the earlier fatality.

Pursuant to Louisville PD regulations, officers involved in police activities are required to wear an active body camera. Many had surmised that this footage would provide the evidence necessary to resolve precisely what occurred Friday morning. We now know that Detective Gillis DID NOT have the required body camera running during the interaction with Scheffler.

“The officer did not have bodycam footage turned on during the incident. We will release the footage that we have” stated Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. Sources have indicated that Gillis, with 13 prior reprimands on his record, has been “given time off” following the incident. Mayor Greenberg, at a press conference today, both released PD findings that Detective Gillis failed to comply with applicable regulations and that he had been disciplined for this failure.

Following the conference, the Louisville Metro PD release on its YouTube channel two video of the incident. One is from a pole located across the road from the entrance and the other is of a police dash cam from a vehicle facing the entrance. While acknowledging that other videos exist, Mayor Greenberg stated that those videos would not be released until subsequent to the conclusion of legal proceedings at the request of the prosecutor’s office.

The Pole Camera

Situated on a pole across from the entrance to Valhalla, the brief footage shows stopped traffic and the general scene. The video provided begins shortly prior to the incident and ends with Scheffler’s arrest.

Primarily blocked by a bus, it is impossible to see the initial interaction (if any) between the parties. When Scheffler’s vehicle comes into view, its travelling slowly and makes a left turn into the entrance. What we surmise is the officer in question is seen jogging behind and to the left of the car and we see him take a 45 degree angle to reach the side of the vehicle where he proceeds to strike the driver’s side window with a flashlight. Upon the window being struck, Scheffler immediately stops. There is an exchange and it appears the officer reaches into the window. The door is opened and Scheffler is pulled out and throw against the car.

Dash Cam Footage

The provided footage from the dashcam is significantly longer than the pole cam. It also clearly demonstrates the conditions that existed leading up to and at the time of the incident. The area in front of the entrance is controlled chaos. Police vehicles everywhere and zero traffic moving. With one exception. For the better part of an hour preceding the incident, cars and buses are moving in the “wrong” lane and making left hand turns into the entrance. (Which as discussed above, they were told to do by the officers manning the checkpoint a mile from the entrance).

Immediately prior to Scottie arriving at the scene, a bus makes half a left turn into the entrance and stops. We can see that a number of persons (presumed to be officers and/or private security) approach the driver’s side window. After a few moments they walk away and we see the bus driver exit the bus. Moments later (after the persons who had been standing in the road next to the bus move out of the way) we see Scheffler begin to slowly move forward to make the left turn. Neither video shows the officer violently precipitated to the ground causing the injuries claimed or the catastrophic $80 worth of damage to his pants.

What Happens Next?

Scheffler’s arraignment, previously scheduled for this week, was adjourned to June 3rd over the objection of the prosecuting attorney. Both sides have issued statements that there will be no plea bargain reached. Either the case will be dismissed or we will get to see the golf “trial of the century” in the coming months. In the meantime, Scheffler teed it up this afternoon in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth.

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When Golf Meets Supercars: The World Series of Golf Takes Over Skip Barber’s Mexico Resort

World Series of Golf partners with Skip Barber Racing for a two-year luxury sports series at Gran Reserva, Mexico – where championship golf meets supercars starting April 2026.

Published

6 days ago

November 7, 2025

Bobby Markowitz

Picture this. You’re standing on the 18th green at Gran Reserva, Mexico, finishing a round of championship golf with the World Series of Golf’s signature betting format still buzzing in your veins. The sun’s dropping low. Your heart’s still racing from that final putt.

And tomorrow? You’re driving a McLaren on Skip Barber’s brand-new racetrack.

Two Sports, One Unforgettable Weekend

The World Series of Golf just announced something we’ve never seen before. A two-year partnership with Skip Barber Racing School that transforms their new Mexican resort into the ultimate luxury sports destination. It’s not just golf. It’s not just racing. It’s both, wrapped into an experience that redefines what a sporting weekend can be.

Starting in April 2026, Gran Reserva becomes ground zero for a completely new kind of event.

Year One: The Foundation

The first year lays the groundwork. You’ll compete in the World Series of Golf championship using their patented tournament format – the one that adds poker-style betting mechanics to traditional stroke play and turns every hole into a strategic showdown. High stakes. Real tension. Golf the way it was meant to be played.

But here’s where it gets interesting. While you’re playing, Skip Barber’s building their racetrack right there on the property. You’ll see construction crews working on what will become one of North America’s most anticipated racing circuits. State-of-the-art simulators give you a taste of what’s coming, letting you experience the thrill of motorsports between rounds.

VIP receptions. Celebrity appearances. Curated culinary showcases that match the caliber of the competition. It’s an invitation-only event designed for people who expect excellence and aren’t willing to settle for anything less.

Year Two: The Payoff

Then 2027 hits. The track is finished. And suddenly you’re not just imagining what it’s like to drive a supercar at speed – you’re actually doing it.

McLaren. Ferrari. Mercedes. Lamborghini. Take your pick and put it through its paces on a circuit designed by people who’ve spent over 50 years teaching professional racers how to extract every ounce of performance from a machine. Skip Barber doesn’t mess around when it comes to motorsports education, and this track reflects that pedigree.

You’ll stay in exclusive luxury accommodations at Gran Reserva, network with athletes and industry leaders, and experience both golf and racing at the highest possible level. All in one place. All in one unforgettable weekend.

Why This Matters

Michael Berg, CFO of Skip Barber Racing School, called it perfectly: “Guests will see the racetrack under construction during our first event and then drive world-class vehicles on it the following year.”

That’s the hook. You’re not just attending an event. You’re watching it evolve. You’re part of the story from day one, and by year two, you’re living the payoff.

Robert Davidman, CEO of the World Series of Golf, added this: “This partnership unites golf and motorsports in an elevated format that caters to international fans seeking competition, luxury, and adventure.”

Competition. Luxury. Adventure. Three words that sum up what makes this special.

Why Sponsors Are Paying Attention

Here’s what makes this different from every other golf tournament trying to get your marketing dollars.

The World Series of Golf’s patent-protected format keeps spectators glued to every shot. Shot-by-shot wagering. Antes that double every three holes. Strategic decisions that matter as much as swing mechanics. It’s golf designed for television, and television designed to keep people watching.

Add Skip Barber Racing to the mix and you’ve got something networks actually want to cover. Over 40 hours of TV coverage. More than 15 million media impressions. Five million-plus social media reach. This isn’t a local tournament hoping for some local news pickup. This is a broadcast-ready event with an audience that’s already paying attention.

The demographics tell the rest of the story. You’re reaching affluent golf enthusiasts who also appreciate high-performance automobiles. International travelers who think nothing of flying to Mexico for a weekend of luxury sports. Decision-makers and industry leaders who network at VIP receptions and actually have the authority to sign deals on the spot.

Title sponsorship gets you naming rights, eight playing positions, and premium TV exposure throughout the broadcast. But even smaller packages deliver value. Hole sponsors get exclusive on-course branding and social media mentions for ten grand. Golf cart wraps guarantee TV and photo exposure because every shot of the tournament includes your brand.

The opportunities are limited by design. Only 18 hole sponsors. Three presenting sponsors. One title sponsor. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Want the details? Check out the full sponsorship packages at wsg.golf/sponsorship.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t your typical golf tournament. It’s not your standard track day either. It’s something entirely new – a two-year luxury sports series that gives you the best of both worlds and raises the bar for what a sporting experience can deliver.

Year one plants the seed. Year two delivers the harvest. And whether you’re attending as a player or partnering as a sponsor, you’ll be there for both.

For player inquiries, contact events@skipbarber.com. For sponsorship opportunities, reach out to sponsorship@wsg.golf. These events are strictly invitation-only, and opportunities won’t last long.

Golf and supercars. Mexico and motorsports. The World Series of Golf and Skip Barber Racing School.

This is going to be something special.

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One of the Greatest Putts in U.S. Open History?

JJ Spaun’s 64-Foot Walk-Off

Published

5 months ago

June 16, 2025

James Fairway

When JJ Spaun stood over a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, few could have predicted what would come next. The ball meandered across the slick green, trickling over every contour, picking up speed at the crest, and then—like it had GPS—dropped center cup. Spaun dropped his putter, raised his arms, and the crowd erupted. With that single stroke, he claimed his first major title in one of the most dramatic finishes in U.S. Open history.

But how does Spaun’s putt stack up against other legendary finishes in the tournament’s storied past? Let’s break down some of the most iconic moments and see where this one lands.

1. Payne Stewart – 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst

Perhaps the most iconic putt in U.S. Open history came from Payne Stewart, who nailed a 15-footer for par on the 18th to win by one over Phil Mickelson. The pose—fist pump and outstretched leg—has since been immortalized in a statue at Pinehurst. What made it legendary wasn’t just the putt—it was the context: Stewart’s final major before his tragic death just months later.

Verdict: Iconic and emotional. Spaun’s putt was longer, but Stewart’s was more poetic.

2. Tiger Woods – 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines

Woods drained a 12-foot birdie on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate—while basically playing on one leg. That tournament went to sudden death after an 18-hole playoff, and Tiger prevailed. This was peak Tiger drama, pain and all.

Verdict: Spaun’s putt was longer, but Tiger’s win was sheer willpower and mystique.

3. Jack Nicklaus – 1972 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

With a 1-iron shot that hit the flagstick on 17 and a crucial birdie putt on 18, Jack sealed a dominant win. His precision and timing under pressure showed why he’s the GOAT.

Verdict: Not a putt for the win, but a signature finishing statement from Jack. Spaun’s was more electric in terms of pure putter drama.

4. Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open at Merion

Hogan’s 1-iron into the 18th fairway and the par to force a playoff—just 16 months after a near-fatal car crash—remain legendary. He won the playoff and completed one of golf’s great comeback stories.

Verdict: Larger-than-life comeback. Spaun’s putt had more flair, but Hogan’s win was heroic.

5. JJ Spaun – 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont

Let’s not underestimate what Spaun accomplished. The pressure was immense. He wasn’t the favorite. And on the most treacherous greens in golf, he buried a 64-foot bomb—a putt most players would be happy to lag to within 5 feet—to win the U.S. Open outright.

Verdict: For distance, surprise, and drama, Spaun’s putt may be the most shocking winning stroke in U.S. Open history.

Final Thoughts

JJ Spaun may not have the résumé of a Nicklaus or Woods, but for one Sunday afternoon in June 2025, he created a moment that will live in golf lore forever. Spaun’s putt was longer than Stewart’s, more unexpected than Tiger’s, and more dramatic than any final-hole finish in recent memory.

In terms of pure clutch putting? It might just be the greatest walk-off in U.S. Open history.