05/17/24 09:11:00
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05/17 09:09 CDT Scottie Scheffler arrested at PGA Championship for traffic
violation, returns to course hours later
Scottie Scheffler arrested at PGA Championship for traffic violation, returns
to course hours later
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) --- Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested Friday
morning on his way to the PGA Championship, with stunning images showing him
handcuffed as he was taken to jail for not following police orders during a
pedestrian fatality investigation.
In a span of three hours, Scheffler was arrested wearing gym shorts and a tee
shirt, was dressed in an orange jail shirt for his mug shot, and returned to
Valhalla Golf Club in golf clothes 56 minutes before he was to tee off in the
second round.
"This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers," he said in a
statement released as he was warming up on the range. "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," he said. "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."
His attorney, Steve Romines in Louisville, also described it as a
misunderstanding and told The Associated Press, "We will litigate the case as
it goes."
Traffic was backed up for about a mile in both directions on the only road that
leads to Valhalla in the morning darkness with light rain, with dozens of
police vehicles flashing red-and-blue lights near the entrance.
Police said a pedestrian had been struck by a bus while crossing the road in a
lane that was dedicated to tournament traffic and was pronounced dead at the
scene about 5:09 a.m. The PGA of America identified the man as an employee of
one of its vendors.
"This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We
extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones," the PGA said in
a statement.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington said Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world who
was to start the second round at 8:48 a.m., drove past a police officer a
little after 6 a.m. in his SUV with markings on the door indicating it was a
PGA Championship vehicle.
The officer screamed at him to stop and then grabbed onto the car until
Scheffler stopped about 10 yards later.
Scheffler was booked at 7:28 a.m. --- about 2 1/2 hours before he was scheduled
to start his second round. Police said he was booked for second-degree assault
of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and
disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
"The main thing is he was proceeding exactly as he was directed in a marked
vehicle with credentials," Romines said. "He didn't do anything intentionally
wrong."
Louisville Metro police spokesman Dwight Mitchell did not immediately return a
call seeking comment and information.
Darlington watched it unfold. He said police pulled Scheffler out of the car,
pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs.
"Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back, in
handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked toward me as he was in
those handcuffs and said, ?Please help me,'" Darlington said. "He very clearly
did not know what was happening in the situation. It moved very quickly, very
rapidly, very aggressively."
Mitchell told Louisville radio station WHAS the man was crossing Shelbyville
Road about 5 a.m. and the bus didn't see him. Mitchell said the man was
pronounced dead on the scene.
The PGA Championship posted a notice that play would be delayed because of the
accident. The second round was to start 1 hour, 20 minutes later than scheduled
tee times, meaning Scheffler was not due to start until 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler was released by police and returned to the course at 9:12 a.m. He
made his way to the practice area around 9:30 a.m. and was welcomed by fans ---
one shouted "free Scottie!"
With cars backed up in the morning darkness, other PGA-marked vehicles tried to
move slowly toward the entrance. Traffic finally began to move gradually a
little before 7 a.m.
It was a surreal start to what already has been a wild week of weather --- the
Masters champion and top-ranked player in the world, dressed in workout clothes
with his hands in cuffs behind his back amid flashing flights.
Darlington said police were not sure who Scheffler was. He said an officer
asked him to leave and when he identified himself being with the media, he was
told, "There's nothing you can do. He's going to jail."
Darlington said another police officer later approached with a notepad and
asked if he knew the name of the person they put in handcuffs.
Scheffler is coming off four victories in his last five tournaments, including
his second Masters title. He was home in Dallas the last three weeks waiting on
the birth of his first child, a son that was born May 8.
Scheffler opened with a 4-under 67 and was five shots out of the lead as he
tries to become only the fifth player since 1960 to win the first two majors of
the year.
___
Associated Press writer Dylan Lovan contributed.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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