Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested on his way to the PGA Championship after not following police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation. Scheffler was arrested in gym shorts and a tee shirt, then booked wearing an orange jail shirt before returning to the golf club just in time for his tee time. He stated that he was following police directions and that it was a chaotic situation with a misunderstanding of what was being asked of him. His attorney described it as a misunderstanding and said they would litigate the case as necessary.
Traffic was backed up on the road leading to Valhalla Golf Club as police investigated the pedestrian fatality. The pedestrian was struck by a bus in a lane dedicated to tournament traffic and declared dead at the scene. The PGA of America expressed condolences to the man’s family, calling the situation heartbreaking. ESPN reported that Scheffler drove past police officers and was stopped after being screamed at and grabbed by the officer. Scheffler was booked for several offenses including assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals despite being in a marked vehicle.
Despite the arrest, Scheffler was released by police and returned to the course in time for his round. Fans greeted him with shouts of support, and he was seen practicing on the range before his tee time. PGA-marked vehicles were seen slowly making their way toward the course entrance as traffic began to move gradually. The situation was described as surreal and shocking, with the top-ranked player in the world being handcuffed and taken into custody amid a chaotic scene.
Scheffler, coming off four victories in his last five tournaments, was preparing to play his second round at the PGA Championship. He had recently won his second Masters title and was five shots out of the lead at the tournament. Scheffler had been home awaiting the birth of his first child prior to the tournament. The incident was described as a wild start to a tumultuous week of competition for the Masters champion, with the focus now shifting back to his performance on the golf course and away from the off-course incident.
The PGA Championship announced a delay in play due to the pedestrian fatality investigation, pushing back tee times for all players. The tournament schedule was adjusted to accommodate the delay, providing Scheffler with extra time to return to the course after his release from police custody. Despite the disruption to the tournament and the dramatic start to the day, play resumed and Scheffler was able to focus on his round. The situation highlighted the chaotic and unpredictable nature of live sporting events, with incidents off the course impacting the competition on the field.
Scheffler expressed deep sympathy for the family of the deceased pedestrian and hoped to move past the incident to focus on his golf game. His attorney indicated that they would continue to address the situation as needed, intending to litigate any charges that arise from the arrest. While the arrest was surprising and troubling, Scheffler’s return to the course and the support from fans and fellow players demonstrated a resilience and determination to compete at the highest level. The incident served as a reminder of the challenges and unexpected obstacles that can arise in the world of professional sports, adding a layer of drama to the ongoing PGA Championship.
