According to ESPN, Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, was arrested on Friday morning for reportedly driving past a police roadblock at the Valhalla Golf Club.
About an hour after a fatal accident occurred near the golf course, the arrest was made. The Louisville Metro Police Department released a statement stating that around 5 a.m., a man was struck and killed by a shuttle bus while attempting to cross a road near the course hosting the PGA Championship.
According to reports from ESPN, Scheffler allegedly drove past police who were on site due to the roadblocks and confusion surrounding the accident.
In a statement shared on social media, Scheffler addressed the incident and clarified the circumstances surrounding it. He explained that he was following the instructions given by the police officers, who were managing a chaotic situation following a tragic accident. Scheffler acknowledged that there was a misunderstanding regarding what he thought he was being asked to do and emphasized that he never intended to disregard any of the instructions. Despite the incident, Scheffler expressed his hope to set it aside and shift his focus towards the golf tournament.
Scheffler was released from jail after his processing at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time. He made a swift return to the course just an hour before his scheduled tee time of 10:08 a.m. Despite the challenging rainy conditions, he displayed remarkable skill and shot an impressive 6-under 66. By the time he completed his round, he had climbed into the top 5 positions on the leaderboard.
According to ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, he witnessed a police officer trying to attach himself to Scheffler’s car. Scheffler then brought his vehicle to a stop at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer proceeded to yell at Scheffler, demanding that he exit the car. Upon complying, Scheffler was forcefully pushed against the car and promptly handcuffed. He is currently being held in the back of a police car.
According to the police report, Scheffler declined to obey the police officer’s order to halt and instead “sped forward,” causing the detective to be pulled to the ground. The officer was subsequently transported to the hospital due to experiencing “pain, swelling, and abrasions” on his left wrist and knee. The report also stated that the detective’s uniform pants were irreparably damaged, with an estimated value of around $80.
According to the police report, Scheffler is now facing multiple charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals given by an officer directing traffic.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office is currently gathering information in Scheffler’s case and will carefully review it before taking further action, according to spokesperson Josh Abner’s statement on Friday afternoon.
Scheffler is set to face his arraignment on Tuesday morning.
“I still can’t believe what happened earlier,” Scheffler expressed in a press conference following his round. “It’s hard to put into words. I actually found myself stretching in a jail cell, which was definitely a unique experience for me. It was part of my warmup routine. While waiting, I decided to go through my warmup routine, hoping that I might still be able to play. I focused on getting my heart rate as low as possible today.”
The PGA of America expressed their utmost concern for the family of John Mills, who tragically lost his life in an accident this morning while on his way to work. They are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate the incident involving Scottie Scheffler. The PGA of America advises that any questions regarding this matter should be directed to Scheffler’s attorney or the local authorities.
The second round of the PGA Championship in Louisville experienced a delay due to an unfortunate accident, according to the local police. Scottie Scheffler, who was originally set for an 8:50 a.m. tee time, had to wait until 10:08 a.m. because of the incident.
The LMPD Traffic Unit is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, and there have been no reports of any additional injuries stemming from the earlier event.
At just 27 years old, Scheffler has been a force to be reckoned with on the tour this year. He has already claimed victory in four tournaments, showcasing his exceptional skills on the golf course. One of his most notable wins was at The Masters in April, where he delivered a truly dominant performance. This marked his second Masters win and his second major victory overall. Additionally, Scheffler achieved back-to-back victories in March at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship, further solidifying his position as a top contender in the world of professional golf.
In the opening round of this week’s PGA Championship, the second major of the year, he delivered a stellar performance with a 4-under 67. Despite being five shots behind leader Xander Schauffele, he showcased his exceptional skills on the course.
According to the PGA Tour, Scheffler has amassed a staggering $61 million in career earnings solely from his performances on the tour, placing him 10th on the all-time list.
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