PGA golfer Scottie Scheffler was detained and subsequently charged with multiple offenses after an altercation with a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident occurred on Friday morning, just before the second round of the PGA Championship.
In a video captured by ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, Scheffler, visibly stunned, can be seen walking alongside two police officers while handcuffed. He pleaded for assistance, saying, “Please help me,” as Darlington filmed the ordeal. One of the officers informed Darlington that Scheffler was being taken to jail.
The sequence of events leading to Scheffler’s arrest began when he attempted to navigate through traffic caused by a fatal accident near the golf course. As he was pulling into the venue, a police officer banged on the side of his car, signaling him to stop. However, Scheffler continued driving for another 10 yards before finally halting.
The officer then grabbed Scheffler’s arm in an attempt to remove him from the vehicle. Eventually, Scheffler opened the car door, and the officer forcefully pulled him out, pushing him against the car and promptly placing him in handcuffs. The golfer appeared bewildered and turned towards Darlington, who was filming the incident, seeking help.
Scheffler, aged 27, was detained at approximately 5:45 a.m., causing a delay in his scheduled tee-off time of 8:48 a.m. Due to the accident and resulting traffic, play was postponed for over an hour. The Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections reported that Scheffler was booked around 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
The charges against Scheffler include assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. Despite the ordeal, Scheffler returned to Valhalla Golf Club at 9:13 a.m., with his new tee time set for just after 10 a.m. On Thursday, he had shot an impressive 4-under 67.
The incident involving Scheffler and the subsequent arrest unfolded rapidly and aggressively, leaving the golfer visibly shocked and confused. The circumstances surrounding the altercation and the events leading up to it are currently under investigation.