Scottie Scheffler’s Arraignment Scheduled for June 3, Appreciates Fan Support

Scottie Scheffler and his caddie, Ted Scott, walk on the driving range during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 17, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The world’s No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, now has a June 3 arraignment for multiple charges stemming from an incident involving a police officer in Louisville, Kentucky, before the second round of the PGA Championship.

Scheffler faces a Class C felony charge of second-degree assault of a police officer. He also faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

“I think it finally hit me what really happened,” Scheffler said at a press conference after his final round on May 17. “Friday, most of the day, I didn’t really even eat. I came up here and had a couple bites of some eggs and a piece of bacon, and went out and played. We were sitting at home, and I realized that I hadn’t even eaten dinner yet and it was almost 9 o'clock at night, and I wasn’t hungry.

“As somebody who’s a pretty big eater, that was a strange feeling, so obviously, my body was a bit off with what had happened in the morning,” he added.

According to the police report, Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis directed traffic into Gate 1 of the Valhalla Golf Course for the PGA Championship on May 17 at 6:16 a.m. The road was closed in both directions because of a fatal accident earlier in the morning when Scheffler tried to enter the golf course. John Mills, a 69-year-old vendor for the PGA Championship, was hit by a shuttle bus at about 5:09 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gillis wore a Louisville Metro Police Department uniform and a reflective rain jacket. He stopped Scheffler from entering the course and attempted to give him instructions. However, Scheffler refused to comply and accelerated forward in his vehicle, dragging the officer to the ground and ruining his $80 uniform pants, according to the police report, which is public record.

Gillis was transported to a local hospital for injuries that included swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.

Scheffler was arrested and released later that morning at 8:40 a.m. without bail and under his own recognizance. He arrived for his tee time at 10:08 a.m. and had a solid tournament, tying for eighth with 13-under 271.

Scheffler admitted the arrest and the death of the man on Friday weighed on him throughout the tournament.

“I think ‘hectic’ would probably be a good description,” Scheffler said. “Overall, right now, how I’m feeling, I’m fairly tired, definitely a lot more tired than I have been finishing some other tournaments. But I’m proud of today how we went out there and fought. I got off to kind of a slow start. And I was able to kind of get some momentum, and post a good round, and give myself some good momentum.”

Despite the controversy, fans supported Scheffler throughout the tournament. Many of those in attendance were chanting “Free Scottie!” or wore t-shirts with Scheffler’s mugshot.

Scheffler appreciated the fan’s response to the difficult situation.

“Out on the golf course, the support this week that I got from the fans was tremendous,” he said. “The support I got from the players and caddies and everybody inside the ropes was tremendous. So I’m very grateful to have the community that we have out here on the road and to have their support.”