Scottie Scheffler Arrested and Released by Louisville Police Following Friday Incident at Valhalla
LOUISVILLE — In a surprising turn of events, World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested by Louisville Metro Police early Friday morning at Valhalla Golf Club. The arrest occurred just hours before he was scheduled to tee off for the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
Scheffler faced multiple charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. The incident began when Scheffler attempted to drive past a police officer who was managing traffic due to an unrelated accident outside the club. This accident, which involved a shuttle bus hitting and killing a pedestrian, had led to entry delays at the course.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scheffler was trying to enter Valhalla Golf Club to prepare for his second round. The police officer, unaware of who Scheffler was, attempted to stop him. When Scheffler did not comply immediately, the officer reportedly tried to attach himself to the car, leading to the officer being “dragged” a short distance. This action prompted the officer to detain Scheffler, resulting in minor injuries for the officer.
Scheffler was seen pleading for help to an ESPN crew nearby. Darlington, who witnessed the incident, reported that when he tried to intervene, the police officer said, “There’s nothing you can do, he’s going to jail.” Scheffler was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car, much to his surprise.
The PGA of America has not yet commented on the incident. Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, described the situation as a misunderstanding, explaining that Scheffler believed he was following the directions given to him by traffic officers. “He did exactly as he was instructed to enter the premises,” Romines stated, emphasizing that the miscommunication arose from the chaotic situation following the tragic accident.
Scheffler was released from custody a few hours later and made it back to Valhalla in time for his delayed tee time. The start of the second round was postponed by 1 hour and 20 minutes due to the fatal accident. Scheffler, dressed in golf attire after his release, quickly headed to the practice area, greeted by supportive fans.
In a statement released while warming up, Scheffler expressed his confusion over the incident: “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. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.”
Scheffler also extended his condolences to the family of the accident victim, stating, “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.”
Despite the arrest, Scheffler remains focused on his performance in the PGA Championship. He had shot a first-round four-under 67 on Thursday, putting him in strong contention. Scheffler’s remarkable season includes winning four of his past five tournaments, highlighted by his second Masters title and a successful defense of the Players Championship.