2024 PGA Championship 

The aftermath and what might have been!

As the dust settles after the 2024 PGA Championship, it appears that epic failure may have occurred, and in the midst may have robbed the golf fans of a truly special summer.  When all the officials made appearances today in Louisville and released the specifics on the case that involves world number one Scottie Scheffler, the video released told a different story than what was released during the event.  

In my experience having worked a PGA Championship, Ryder Cup and 4 Charles Schwab Cups, the time and effort that’s put in to coordinate player parking, traffic control, State Police, County Sheriffs, and local PD and volunteers to execute the event takes countless hours of planning and execution.  After watching the videos released today, considering the rain and the tragic death of a beloved volunteer, it appears that the police officer clearly overreacted.  There appears to be no dragging and Scottie was proceeding at a slow speed and made no attempts to disobey his commands.  Being a huge supporter of our law enforcement, someone clearly didn’t communicate with this detective about what he was going experience in the next 4 to 6 hours.  I believe the player courtesy cars for this year’s event were from Lexus, he was going to see 70 – 80 cars that all looked alike and most likely had championship markings along with the (P) player parking pass making their way through that specific entrance.  This appears to be one of the dumbest and imbecilic arrests and needs to be rectified as quickly as the process allows.  Understanding due process, this shouldn’t take until June 3rd to clear up.  

Unfortunately, this over reaction may have cost us one of the best summers of golf since we were in midst of the most dominant period of golf with Tiger Woods.  Xander, Bryson, Viktor and the rest of the field put on a great show, but let’s be real, Scottie is the best player in the world and with Valhalla being a birdie fest, he would have gotten to 22 under and have everyone going crazy talking the “Scottie Slam”.  Now will never know! 

As the tours again separate for the next month and don’t come together until the US Open at Pinehurst, I for one will look back at Valhalla on what could have been. My pain for what could have been if Scottie wasn’t arrested, pails for what the Mills family is feeling in their loss.  RIP Mr. Mills and may heavens fairways be kind to you!! 

Mike Scully 

The Reality Check