Scottie Scheffler tees off for second round, describes ‘chaotic situation’ in first words since arrest for allegedly dragging cop with car
Scottie Scheffler intends to “focus on golf” Friday following his stunning arrest outside Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
In a statement to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who witnessed and filmed the ordeal, Scheffler said “there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do” in terms of maneuvering traffic flow following a fatal accident involving a shuttle bus near the course, where the world’s No. 1 golfer was detained and handcuffed.
“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,” the statement read.
“I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.”
Scheffler, 27, concluded his message by offering condolences to the family of the individual lost in the fatal accident.
“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,” Scheffler said.
The incident unfolded shortly before 6 a.m., with Scheffler attempting to get around traffic caused by the accident.
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A police officer started banging on the side of the car door to get Scheffler to stop as he was pulling into the course.
“When he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, Scheffler then traveled another 10 yards before stopping the car. The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer then pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs,” Darlington said Friday on “SportsCenter.”
Scheffler was booked and processed around 7:30 a.m. Friday and has been charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals, per ESPN.
Scheffler’s Louisville attorney, Steve Romines, issued a separate statement Friday.
“In the early hours of the morning in advance of his tee time Scottie was going to the course to begin his pre round preparation. Due to the combination of event traffic and a traffic fatality in the area it was a very chaotic situation He was proceeding as directed by another traffic officer and driving a marked player’s vehicle with credentials visible. In the confusion,Scottie is alleged to have disregarded a different officer’s traffic signals resulting in these charges. Multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed. He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle. We will litigate this matter as needed and he will be completely exonerated,” Romines said, according to Sports Illustrated.
Scheffler was released from custody and returned to Valhalla, where he teed off shortly after 10 a.m. Friday for the second round.
He birdied the first hole Friday morning and is 1-under par through four holes.
Scheffler, a two-time Masters winner, shot a 4-under 67 to open the tournament Thursday.
The PGA Championship marks his anticipated return to the circuit following the birth of his first child with wife Meredith, a son named Bennett.
