Scottie Scheffler of the USA speaks to the media in a press convention through the second spherical of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Membership on Might 17, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Patrick Smith/Getty Photographs/AFP (Picture by Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Photographs by way of AFP)
LOUISVILLE, United States — Golf world primary Scottie Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested on Friday after allegedly dragging a police officer along with his automobile whereas attempting to keep away from site visitors controls outdoors the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
In one of many strangest scenes ever at a significant match, Scheffler was taken into custody by police, booked with a mugshot taken in an orange jumpsuit, launched, returned to the course in time for his second spherical, then recovered nicely sufficient to fireside a five-under par 66 and share third early within the second spherical.
“I nonetheless really feel like my head is spinning a bit bit however I used to be lucky to have the ability to make it again out and play some golf,” Scheffler stated. “I’ve stored myself within the match now with a fairly chaotic day.”
READ: Golf: Scheffler dominates again 9 to win second Masters title
Scheffler, 27, was charged with felony assault on a police officer, felony mischief, reckless driving and disregarding alerts from an officer directing site visitors and launched.
“My state of affairs will get dealt with,” Scheffler stated. “I can’t touch upon any of the specifics, but it surely was simply an enormous misunderstanding that may get resolved I believe pretty rapidly.”
Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro police after he drove onto curbing attempting to get round a previous accident on the Valhalla entrance, one which resulted within the fatality of a pedestrian named as John Mills.
“My sympathies exit to the household of Mr. Mills,” Scheffler stated. “I can’t think about what they’re going by.”
A police report on the incident obtained by ESPN stated arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed orders to cease his automobile and accelerated, dragging the officer to the bottom.
Gillis was hospitalized with ache, bruising and swelling in his left wrist and knee. An arraignment is ready for Tuesday.
“I by no means supposed to ignore any of the directions,” Scheffler stated in a press release earlier than his spherical.
READ: Scheffler beneficial properties share of lead in Houston
Scheffler, who gained his second Masters title final month, arrived at Valhalla’s clubhouse about half-hour after his launch and just below an hour earlier than his begin time within the second spherical, which started after an 80-minute delay because of the accident.
“We had been devastated to study {that a} employee with one in all our distributors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus,” the PGA of America stated in a press release. “That is heartbreaking to all of us concerned with the PGA Championship.”
The PGA of America later recognized Mills and stated of Scheffler, “We’re absolutely cooperating as native authorities overview what occurred.”
Scheffler ‘fairly rattled’
Scheffler was pushed from the reserving, by the proprietor of Valhalla Golf Membership in line with ESPN, to the clubhouse, the place he ate breakfast and became his golf attire earlier than going to the follow vary to organize for his spherical.
“I used to be fairly rattled to say the least,” Scheffler stated. “I used to be shaking. I might say in shock and in worry. Popping out right here and attempting to play at the moment was undoubtedly a problem, however I did my greatest.
“It most likely took a couple of holes to really feel regular.”
Followers cheered as Scheffler walked by the rain onto the course and gave him an enormous ovation simply earlier than his first shot landed in the suitable tough on his solution to a gap birdie.
“The followers had been great at the moment,” Scheffler stated. “I felt like they had been cheering further loud for me.”
Scheffler’s mugshot in an orange jumpsuit was posted by the Louisville Metropolitan Division of Corrections after he was booked. Some followers had it on T-shirts on the course.
Scheffler has gained 4 of his previous 5 begins, capturing Bay Hill and the Gamers in March, shedding in a playoff on the Houston Open, then profitable the Masters and Heritage final month.
American Mark Hubbard, on 133 with Scheffler, was amazed at his efficiency.
“I noticed as everyone did the mug shot and the police report,” Hubbard stated. “Unbelievable that he will get arrested after which goes out and shoots 66.”
Scheffler was the feel-good story of the week at Valhalla, hoping to win his third main title every week after changing into a father for the primary time. His spouse, Meredith, gave delivery to son Bennett 9 days in the past.
