LOUISVILLE, Kentucky - World No.1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with four offences, including one felony, prior to the start of the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday morning.
He was released from custody after being booked at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections, his mug shot taken while wearing an orange jail-issued jumpsuit.
The arrest came as Scheffler attempted to enter Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville as he drove in a courtesy car. The 27-year-old was attempting to drive around the site of a fatal accident that occurred at 5.09am local time when a shuttle bus struck and killed an adult male pedestrian as he was crossing the road near the front gate of the golf club.
Scheffler, who was not involved in the accident, allegedly failed to yield to a command to stop before a police officer grabbed the golfer’s car.
Scheffler drove about 10 to 20 metres before stopping his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. Once he opened the car door, an officer put him against the car and placed him in handcuffs, ESPN reported.
The charges are second-degree assault on a police officer, a felony, as well as third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregrading signals from officers directing traffic.
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” Scheffler told ESPN after he arrived back at Valhalla. “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.
“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 PGA of America said the victim in the accident was an employee of one of the tournament’s vendors.
The incident with Scheffler occurred around 6am Scheffler was booked at 7.28 and released at 8.40. He arrived back at Valhalla at 9.12am.
The second round was scheduled to start at 7.15am but was delayed by 80 minutes as traffic snarled outside the course and players had difficulty entering the grounds.
Scheffler initially was scheduled to tee off at 8.48am but his tee time was moved back to 10.08am.