PGA Tour golfer Scottie Scheffler spent three hours in custody Friday after being arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer and a host of other charges following an incident driving into the Valhalla Golf Club, where the second round of the PGA Championship was scheduled to take place.
Scheffler has since been released, and as of 9:45 a.m. ET, was at the course warming up for the round.
The arrest came as traffic to the club was tied up due to a shuttle bus accident that killed a pedestrian. Scheffler allegedly attempted to drive around the traffic and was ordered to stop by a police officer. ESPN, whose reporter witnessed the event, reports Scheffler continued to drive another 10 to 20 yards towards the club entrance. He was then removed from his vehicle and placed in handcuffs.
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. One of those charges, assault, is a felony.
Scheffler was released without bail at 8:40 a.m. and arrived at the club an hour before he was scheduled to tee off.
“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” Scheffler said in a statement. “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. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.”
Scottie Scheffler has arrived at Valhalla. Tee time is in roughly an hour, 10:08 a.m. pic.twitter.com/LY0l5WHLG2— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) May 17, 2024
Scheffler, in April, won The Masters tournament and is widely considered the sport’s best player.