Top-Ranked Golfer Scottie Scheffler Arrested For Second-Degree Assault Of A Police Officer Hours Before PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler, currently the top-ranked golfer globally, was taken into custody on Friday morning for purportedly bypassing a police barricade at Valhalla Golf Club, as reported by ESPN.
The incident occurred roughly an hour following a fatal collision nearby. At approximately 5 a.m., a man attempting to cross a road close to the PGA Championship site was hit and killed by a shuttle bus, according to a release from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
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Due to the roadblocks and ensuing confusion from the accident, Scheffler is said to have driven past police officers present at the scene, ESPN reports.
After being processed, Scheffler, 27, was released from jail at approximately 8:40 a.m. He made it back to the golf course roughly an hour before his scheduled 10:08 a.m. tee-off.
"This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers," Scheffler stated in an announcement on social media. "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. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today."
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who was on the scene, reported that a "Police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler's car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car. When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car."
The New Jersey native reportedly refused to comply with the police officer's order to stop, instead accelerating and dragging the officer to the ground. The officer suffered injuries and his uniform was damaged.
Scheffler now faces multiple charges including second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals.
His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
