Top Golfer Scottie Scheffler Arrested and Charged After Altercation at PGA Championship Event

Professional golfer Scottie Scheffler, 27, was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer and reckless driving outside the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident occurred as Scheffler was preparing to participate in the PGA championship event.

Chaotic Scene and Arrest

The arrest took place amid a chaotic scene where traffic was being rerouted following a tragic accident earlier in the day, involving a man being hit and killed by a shuttle bus outside the golf club entrance. According to reports from an ESPN reporter who witnessed the incident, Scheffler was seen driving on a median toward the entrance to the club and initially failed to heed an officer's order for him to stop.

Shortly before his scheduled tee-off time, Scheffler released a statement on his official Instagram account, describing the incident as a "big misunderstanding." He expressed that he was proceeding as directed by police officers in what he deemed a very chaotic situation due to the tragic accident earlier in the day. He stated that there was a misunderstanding of what he thought he was being asked to do, emphasizing that he never intended to disregard any instructions.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Scheffler was booked at 7:28 a.m. ET and initially faced charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from a traffic officer. He was subsequently released from the Louisville facility without bail, and his lawyer, Steve Romines, indicated that they would litigate the case as it progressed.

Golf Tournament Participation

Despite the morning's events, Scheffler proceeded to tee off just after 10:08 a.m. ET for the second day of the championship, arriving at Valhalla around 9:10 a.m. ET, with less than an hour to prepare. Both the PGA Tour and PGA of America referred to Scheffler's statement when asked for comment on the situation.