Prosecutors in Kentucky are expected to drop charges against golfer Scottie Scheffler after his arrest before the second round of the PGA Championship. Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. The officer was reportedly injured after attaching himself to Scheffler’s vehicle and being dragged. While the Jefferson County Attorney’s office has not made any final decisions on the case, Scheffler’s arraignment is set for Tuesday.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stated that there was no body cam footage of the incident between Scheffler and the police officer. He noted that they would release any available footage and that a fixed camera across the street may have captured the incident. Scheffler called the incident a “big misunderstanding” and expressed his hope to put it behind him and focus on golf. He offered his condolences to the family of the man who died in a previous accident earlier that day.
Despite the reports of the expected charges being dropped, the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office had not immediately responded to inquiries for comment on the situation. Scheffler had allegedly driven past a police officer directing traffic without stopping when directed. The PGA Championship in 2024 saw Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa leading the crowded leaderboard heading into the final round. The incident involving Scheffler being put into a police vehicle was caught on video by ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell mentioned that no final decisions had been made regarding Scheffler’s case, and they were still gathering information to proceed accordingly. The prosecutor’s office will review the case before making any decisions. Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis, who was involved in the incident, reportedly did not have his body cam footage turned on at the time. Mayor Greenberg stated that there had not been any video discovered of the initial contact between Gillis and Scheffler.
Scheffler maintained that he was following police officer’s directions to the best of his ability in a chaotic situation, expressing his intention to focus on golf moving forward. The incident took place amidst a tragic accident earlier in the day, which Scheffler acknowledged by offering sympathy to the family of the deceased. The situation surrounding Scheffler’s arrest and the subsequent charges being dropped highlighted the challenges faced by both law enforcement and individuals in high-pressure situations. The outcome of Scheffler’s arraignment on Tuesday would provide further clarity on his legal standing.
