Golf world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler on Friday was handcuffed and arrested after allegedly dragging a police officer with his car while trying to avoid traffic controls outside the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
In one of the strangest scenes ever at a major tournament, Scheffler was taken into custody by police, booked with a mugshot taken in an orange jumpsuit, released, returned to the course in time for his second round, then recovered well enough to fire a five-under-par 66 and share third early in the second round. He was on 133 after a first-round 67.
“I still feel like my head is spinning a little bit, but I was fortunate to be able to make it back out and play some golf,” Scheffler said. “I’ve kept myself in the tournament now with a pretty chaotic day.”
Photo: AP
Scheffler, 27, was charged with felony assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic and released.
“My situation will get handled,” Scheffler said. “I can’t comment on any of the specifics, but it was just a huge misunderstanding that will get resolved I think fairly quickly.”
Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro police after he drove onto curbing trying to get around a prior crash at the Valhalla entrance, one that resulted in the fatality of a pedestrian named John Mills.
Photo: AFP
“My sympathies go out to the family of Mr Mills,” Scheffler said. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”
A police report on the incident obtained by ESPN said arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed orders to stop his car and accelerated, dragging the officer to the ground.
Gillis was hospitalized with pain, bruising and swelling in his left wrist and knee. An arraignment is set for Tuesday.
“I never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” Scheffler said in a statement before his round.
Scheffler, who won his second Masters title last month, arrived at Valhalla just under an hour before his start time in the second round, which began after an 80-minute delay due to the crash.
“We were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus,” the PGA of America said in a statement. “This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship.”
The PGA of America later identified Mills and said of Scheffler, “We’re fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place.”
Scheffler’s mugshot was posted by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections after he was booked. Some fans had it on T-shirts at the course.
“You felt like it was sort of a prank or something when you see a mugshot of Scottie,” tournament leader Xander Schauffele said. “He’s a solid guy and there was no malintent by him to anyone. So hopefully he goes out unscathed. Scottie’s a good dude.”
The second round was suspended due to darkness with 18 players to finish. Schauffele of the US led with a first-round 62 and a 68 for 130, with compatriots Collin Morikawa (66 and 65 for 131) and Sahith Theegala (65 and 67 for 132) in second and third.
Taiwan’s C.T. Pan shot a first-round 73 and had 69 on Friday for a total of 142, which was below the projected cut.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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