LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Scottie Scheffler was arrested early Friday and charged with a second-degree assault of a police officer following an incident on the entrance to Valhalla Golf Membership, which is internet hosting this week’s PGA Championship.
In response to the incident report that was launched by Louisville Metro Police Division, Scheffler arrived on the course at 6:16 a.m. ET however the primary thoroughfare main into the venue, Shelbyville Street, was closed due to a “deadly collision” earlier within the morning.
“[Scheffler] pulled into the westbound lanes the place outbound site visitors was flowing and to keep away from backed up site visitors,” the report learn.
Scheffler mentioned particulars of his Friday arrest and the 66 he shot after being launched from jail.
Scheffler was stopped by an officer who tried to offer him directions however the world No. 1 “refused to conform and accelerated ahead.” The report stated the officer, detective Bryan Gillis, was dragged “to the bottom” and “suffered ache, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.” Gillis was taken to a neighborhood hospital for remedy.
In a assertion posted on social media, Scheffler stated he was “continuing as directed by police” and “there was an enormous misunderstanding.”
“I by no means supposed to ignore any of the directions [from officers],” Scheffler stated within the assertion.
In response to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident simply previous the doorway to Valhalla, “the police officer tried to connect himself to Scheffler’s automobile, and Scheffler then stopped his automobile on the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then started to scream at Scheffler to get out of the automobile.
“When Scheffler exited the automobile, the officer shoved Scheffler in opposition to the automobile and instantly positioned him in handcuffs.”
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, which is a felony; third-degree prison mischief; reckless driving and disregarding indicators from officers. He was launched at 8:48 a.m.
Second-round play was delayed greater than an hour after a vendor who was working on the championship, recognized as John Mills, was hit and killed by a bus outdoors the golf course. Scheffler was not concerned within the accident.
“Our major concern in the present day stays with the household of John Mills, who misplaced his life in a tragic accident early this morning whereas reporting to work,” the PGA of America stated in a press release Friday afternoon. “Because it pertains to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler, we’re absolutely cooperating as native authorities evaluation what passed off. Whereas the authorized course of performs out, questions ought to to be directed to Scheffler’s lawyer or native authorities.”
In response to a police official, Scheffler will likely be arraigned within the subsequent day or two however he doesn’t must be current for that listening to. His lawyer, Steven Romines, instructed ESPN that the golfer was unaware of the highway closure and “he proceeded like they’d been instructed to. He did precisely as he was instructed to enter the premises.”
Scheffler arrived again at Valhalla Golf Membership at 9:12 a.m. and teed off for Spherical 2 at 10:08 a.m. following an abbreviated warmup.
“After I was sitting in just like the holding cell or no matter, there was a TV there and I may see myself on the TV on ESPN. Within the nook it confirmed the time and it stated [tee times] had been delayed and I used to be sort of eager about my tee time, I used to be like, effectively, perhaps I may have the ability to get out,” Scheffler stated following his spherical. “The officers downstairs had been discussing how lengthy it was going to take me to get launched. Clearly we’ve got to undergo all of the due course of and every little thing. I began to stretch a little bit bit as soon as I acquired my coronary heart price down a little bit bit.”
Scheffler shot 5-under 66 and was tied for third when he accomplished his spherical, two pictures off the lead held by Collin Morikawa.
Though he declined to enter particulars in regards to the incident with the Louisville police officer, Scheffler stated as soon as the spherical began he was capable of give attention to golf.
“It was good to have the ability to get contained in the ropes and do what I like to do. I like competing out right here, I like taking part in in main championships,” he stated. “I’ve stored myself within the match now with a fairly chaotic day, so I’m going to go from right here and give attention to getting some relaxation and restoration and prepare for a grind the final two days.”
