World No.1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested on four charges including second degree assault of a police officer after a remarkable incident outside the PGA Championship at Valhalla
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Scottie Scheffler detained by police after traffic incident
Scottie Scheffler was arrested on four charges including second degree assault of a police officer outside the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
The 27-year-old, who posted a four-under par first round score at the PGA Championship on Thursday, was stopped and handcuffed on Friday morning.
According to ESPN, Scheffler attempted to drive past a police officer after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a shuttle bus - of which the golfer had no involvement in - backing up traffic for miles leading up to the golf course.
The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler's car before the American golfer stopped his car in front of the entrance to Valhalla. He was positioned around 10 to 20 yards from the point at which the officer first told him to stop. At that time, the officer then screamed at Scheffler to get out of his car.
Scheffler did not move from his car for 20 to 30 seconds before rolling down his window. After that, the officer grabbed his arm and starting pulling at it. The officer reached inside, got hold of the door and pulled Scheffler out, before pushing him against the car and placed him in handcuffs.
Scheffler was heard asking ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, "'Can you help?" before a police officer could be heard saying: "Right now he is going to jail." Scheffler was instructed to a police car, got inside and then was drove away.
ESPN add that after he was placed into the police car, a second officer approached media members with a pad and asked if they knew the name of the person they had arrested. At that point his handcuffs were removed, but only to make him more comfortable, before they were put back around his wrists.
The golfer's mugshot has now been released after he was booked in following the incident. Scheffler has been charged with second degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
The 27-year-old was detained following what reports referred to as 'a misunderstanding with traffic flow'. The star has since been released and was seen arriving at the golf course to resume his bid for glory on Friday.
Scheffler has now released a statement and said: “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. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.
“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”
Scheffler headed to Kentucky looking to become the first player since Jordan Spieth to win the first two majors of the year after cruising to the Masters last month. The tournament also marks his first as a father, after his wife Meredith gave birth to their son Bennett last week.
But despite the upheaval, he was confident his game was in a good place to contend with the world ’s best. "I was able to practise and play plenty at home," Scheffler said.
"Obviously the last week was a bit different with our son coming. But I would say three weeks is probably a bit of a longer break than I would usually take.
"I'm definitely rested going into this week for sure. I don't really feel like any rust has accumulated. I'm able to do stuff at home to simulate tournament golf, especially on the greens, competing and gambling with my buddies.
"I don't really want to lose to them, either, so I was able to simulate a little bit of competition at home.
"I told my son as I was leaving, I was like, I don't want to leave you right now, but I need to. I'm called to do my job to the best of my ability, and I felt like showing up Wednesday night wouldn't really be doing myself a service this week when it comes to playing and competing."
Scheffler, who has won four of his last five events, is competing at Valhalla after three weeks off as he awaited the arrival of his first child. His wife gave birth to son Bennett last week.
He made a remarkable start to round one by holing his second shot to the opening hole from 167 yards for an eagle, eventually carding a four-under-par 67. That left him five shots behind compatriot Xander Schauffele, whose 62 equalled the lowest round in men’s major championship history.
Scheffler was due to tee off in the second round at 8.42am local time, but the start was delayed. He returned to the course at around 9am, with ESPN confirming it is his intention to continue in the tournament.
