OAN’s James Meyers
8:40 AM – Friday, May 17, 2024
PGA Tour superstar Scottie Scheffler was arrested Friday and charged after he allegedly failed to follow police orders as he was about to enter Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, Kentucky, for the second round of the tournament.
Scheffler has been charged with felony second-degree assault on a police officer, along with lesser charges of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic, according to Jefferson County court records.
The two-time major winner has been released from jail, according to the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, and returned to the Valhalla Golf Course for the second round of the PGA Championship.
Scheffler released a statement on his Instagram calling it a “misunderstanding.”
“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,” he said. “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.”
The incident began when Scheffler drove to the Valhalla Golf Club around 6 a.m. for his second round of the tournament, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who witnessed and filmed the arrest.
Prior to the incident with Scheffler, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a bus while attempting to cross the main road leading to the course, Louisville Metro Police Department spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said. Police presence was increased around the entrance to the golf course due to the accident.
Once Scheffler arrived, he attempted to drive around the crash scene on a median, according to ESPN. “A police officer instructed Scheffler to stop, but Scheffler continued to drive about 10 to 20 yards toward the entrance,” ESPN said.
“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,” Darlington posted on X. Scheffler was in a marked player courtesy vehicle, Darlington said on ESPN.
A video from Darlington shows police walking with Scheffler, who was handcuffed, and escorted to a police vehicle.
“Right now he’s going to jail,” an officer at the scene says in the video.
Meanwhile, PGA of America, the organizer of the PGA Championship, said in a statement that the pedestrian who was killed in the crash was a worker with one of their vendors.
“This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones,” the organization said.
Scheffler’s attorney spoke on the matter, claiming the arrest came from a misunderstanding. “They were directing traffic, he held his media credential out and was going in like they’d been instructed to,” attorney Steve Raines told CNN affiliate WLKY.
Additionally, Raines said the golfer was unaware of the earlier crash. “I think the officer that was directing traffic was maybe not part of the event traffic detail, and so that’s where the miscommunication arose, and that’s why we’re here.”
Raines did not answer why the two-time Major winner was charged with assault, claiming he will let the case play out in court. “Scottie will cooperate fully,” Raines said.
The golf superstar is coming off four victories in his last five tournament appearances, which includes a second Masters championship. His wife also just gave birth to their second child on May 8th.
Scheffler, the No.1 ranked golfer in the world, was tied for 12th at 4-under par after the first round on Thursday.
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