The world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler experienced an unexpected and dramatic start to his day before the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
- May 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - The second round of the PGA Championship was delayed on the morning of May 17, following a tragic accident in which a pedestrian was killed by a shuttle bus near the tournament venue. Amid the ensuing traffic chaos, Scottie Scheffler, the world's top golfer, found himself in hot water with the police.
According to public records, Scheffler was arrested by Louisville Metro Police as he attempted to bypass the halted traffic to enter Valhalla Golf Club. The golfer faces a felony charge of second-degree assault of a police officer, and several misdemeanors including third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.
The incident was witnessed by ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who captured the shocking footage of Scheffler being led away in handcuffs. Scheffler reportedly ignored police instructions and drove around the crash site via the median.
Det. Bryan Gillis, the arresting officer, stated in his report that he was injured during the altercation, alleging that Scheffler's car dragged him, causing "pain, swelling and abrasions to [his] left wrist and knee."
Scheffler was released without bail at 8:40 AM ET and was back at Valhalla Golf Club by 10:08 AM ET, just in time for his rescheduled tee-off. Fans greeted him with cheers of "Free Scottie!" despite injuring a cop.
Addressing the incident, Scheffler took to Instagram, stating, "This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions." He also expressed his deep condolences to the family of the individual who died in the shuttle bus accident.
Steven Romines, Scheffler's attorney, described the incident as a "miscommunication," explaining that the officer who stopped Scheffler wasn't part of the regular traffic detail for the event, adding, "They are allowed to go through, that's why they have the credential and the wave-through. [Scheffler] did exactly as he was instructed to enter the premises."
The PGA of America extended their condolences in a statement acknowledging the loss of life in the accident, emphasizing the shared heartbreak of everyone involved in the tournament.
Despite the morning's drama, Scheffler was able to focus on his game, showcasing the resilience and determination that has made him a champion. As events unfold, more details might emerge, but for now, the golfing world remains glued to Scheffler's next moves both on and off the course.
