Scottie Scheffler, the current number one ranked golfer globally, was detained by Louisville Metro police on Friday morning, according to arrest records. He was released shortly before 8:00 a.m. local time, according to jail records, and was able to play golf later in the morning.
The incident leading to the arrest allegedly occurred in the aftermath of a non-related fatal accident near Valhalla Golf Club, the venue for the ongoing 2024 PGA Championship, according to an arrest report by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Detective Bryan Gillis obtained by ESPN.
The report said Mr. Gillis was directing traffic at the golf course due to road closures from the earlier fatal collision, where a tour vendor was struck by a shuttle bus and killed.
Mr. Scheffler attempted to access the course by driving into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was moving, according to the report. Despite being in full uniform and clearly visible, Mr. Gillis said he was dragged by the subject’s vehicle after they refused to comply and accelerated forward.
As a result, the officer sustained “pain, swelling, and abrasions,” and required hospital treatment. Additionally, his uniform pants were damaged beyond repair.
Mr. Scheffler was charged with Second-degree assault of a police officer (Felony), Third-degree criminal mischief (Misdemeanor), Reckless driving (Violation), and Ignoring traffic signals directed by an officer (Misdemeanor), according to the jail’s booking website. The department’s booking website also included a mugshot of the 27-year-old golf pro before he was released.
Mr. Scheffler released a statement on Instagram, saying the situation was all a misunderstanding.
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” he said in the statement released by the PGA Tour on behalf of Mr. Scheffler. “It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier. 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.”
Mr. Scheffler added that he and those involved in the tournament expressed their sympathies to the family of the man who was killed in the accident earlier in the morning.
“It truly puts everything in perspective,” he added.
Mr. Scheffler was back on the golf course later in the morning, according to a post on X by the PGA Tour, and he teed off shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time.
The PGA Tour said in a statement, “This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
In a separate statement Friday afternoon, the PGA of America said: “Our primary concern today remains with the family of John Mills, who lost his life in a tragic accident early this morning while reporting to work. As it relates to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler, we are fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place.”
LMPD said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times Friday afternoon that the facts and circumstances of the incident are still being gathered, but preliminarily a “motorist” attempted to make entry into a restricted area where the unrelated crash was being investigated, which led to the arrest.
The agency added the events occurred at around 5:00 a.m. local time and offered their condolences to the family of the individual who died.
Scheffler’s Golf Dominance
Just last month, Mr. Scheffler secured another impressive victory at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina, extending his recent dominance in the world of golf.Mr. Scheffler was fresh off his PGA Masters triumph, where Scheffler claimed his fourth win in five starts, showcasing a level of consistency not seen since Tiger Woods’ peak years.
Despite challenging weather and limited preparation, Scheffler maintained his form, finishing at 19-under 265 and earning $3.2 million from last month’s performance.
His performance included 40 consecutive rounds at par or better, and his world ranking now exceeds a 15-point average, a milestone last achieved by Woods.
The Louisville tournament represents his first tournament appearance since his success in South Carolina last month. Mr. Scheffler after that tournament headed back home to Dallas, where his wife gave birth to their first child.
