Scottie Scheffler, the number on ranked golfer in the world, was arrested on Friday morning prior to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident was caught on video and shared all over social media, quickling going viral.
Scheffler was charged with multiple crimes. He was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. The assault charge is a felony, while the others are misdemeanors.
He has already been released from custody.
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
Scottie Scheffler Arrested Prior to PGA Championship
The incident was witnessed by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Per Darlington, Scheffler was trying to drive around a prior wreck in an attempt to get the course. A police officer then told Scheffler to stop. Scheffler continued another 10-20 yards toward the entrance.
The officer attatched himself to the side of Scheffler’s vehicle. Eventually, Scheffler stopped his car to talk to the officer. The officer then grabbed Scheffler’s arm and removed him from the vehicle and placed him in handcuffs.
Darlington then began to film the incident, capturing Scheffler being detained on video. Scheffler turned to Darlington and asked, “Can you help?”
Statement from Scottie Scheffler to me: “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…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
Scottie Scheffler Releases Statement on Arrest
Scottie Scheffler – who has already been released – has released a statment on his arrest to Darlington.
“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 stated.
“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.”