World No. 1 Scotty Scheffler was arrested early Friday morning after an incident with an officer outside Valhalla Golf Club, the site of the PGA Championship. Scheffler was not involved in a separate traffic incident outside of Valhalla that resulted in the pedestrian’s death.
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding the signals of officers directing traffic. The charges include two misdemeanors, one misdemeanor and one felony (second-degree assault on a police officer).
Scheffler was released from custody at 8:40 a.m. ET. He returned to Valhalla at 9:12 a.m. ET and headed to the practice area before departing at about 10:10 a.m. ET. Scheffler posted a 5-under 66 on Friday, which dropped him to 9-under for the week and very much in contention. He is due back in court Tuesday morning for his arraignment.
Scheffler published the following His Instagram story:
“This morning, I was following the instructions of the police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably, given the tragic accident earlier, and there was a lot of misunderstanding of what I thought they were asking me to do. I never intend to ignore any instructions.
“Of course, all of us at the tournament extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who died this morning.
The incident was first reported by ESPN journalist Jeff Darlington.
News: World No. 1 golfer Scotty Scheffler was handcuffed by police after a traffic misunderstanding led to him trying to pass a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club. The policeman tried to tie Scheffler to the car,…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
“Breaking news: World No. 1 golfer Scotty Scheffler is handcuffed by police after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to him trying to drive past a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club,” Darlington wrote on X. “The policeman tried. Attaching to Scheffler’s car, Scheffler then parked his car at the entrance to Valhalla. As the officer began yelling at Scheffler to get out of the car, the officer pulled him back into the car and handcuffed him.
Darlington indicated that Scheffler drove about “10 to 20 yards” after being told to stop. Darlington reported that Scheffler tried to explain that he didn’t know the man telling him to stop was a police officer. Darlington said Scheffler did not raise his voice during the confrontation.
Darlington said the situation quickly escalated and Scheffler was placed in a police car. Darlington reported that the police officer told her, “There’s nothing you can do, he’s going to jail.” Darlington later reported that the officer asked for Scheffler’s identity.
Darlington reported on the incident on “SportsCenter” before 7 am
Darlington later posted a video of the incident:
According to a police report on the incident, the officer was “dragged” by Scheffler’s vehicle and taken to the hospital after he “suffered pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.”
Steve Romins, an attorney representing Scheffler, told reporters that Scheffler had issued his media credentials and was entering the golf course as instructed by the players.
“It appears there was a traffic accident, or maybe even a fatality on the road, that changed the traffic pattern and he wasn’t aware of it,” Romines said. “I think the officer directing traffic may not have been part of the traffic detail for the event and that’s why there was a miscommunication and that’s why we’re here.”
“There are eyewitnesses that he did nothing wrong” Romines told WDRB.
Scheffler was later alerted at 7:28 a.m
The start of the second round of the PGA Championship has been delayed 80 minutes due to a fatal accident at Valhalla Golf Club. According to the PGA, a bus hit and killed a pedestrian who was working at a vendor. In the rainy hours of the early morning, traffic around Valhalla was at a standstill. Players were allowed to enter the course to prepare for the tournament.
“We were devastated to learn this morning that a worker along with one of our salespeople was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus near Valhalla Golf Club. This goes out to everyone involved in the PGA Championship. Our condolences go out to them. The family…
– PGA Championship (@PGACampionship) May 17, 2024
“Our primary concern today remains with the family of John Mills, who tragically lost his life this morning while reporting for work,” the PGA of America said in a statement Friday afternoon. “Regarding the incident involving Scotty Scheffler, we are cooperating fully as local authorities investigate what happened. While the legal process is pending, questions should be directed to Scheffler’s attorney or local authorities.”
Scheffler returned to Valhalla shortly after being released and was held back since the tournament began Friday, nearly 90 minutes late. Scheffler then bogeyed his opening hole, taking him to 5-under for the tournament. Entering the clubhouse, he finished two shots off the lead.
