Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, was arrested Friday morning while trying to drive to the Valhalla Golf Club for the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship.
Scheffler reportedly drove on a median to get around police who were on the scene for a fatal accident Friday morning in which a pedestrian had been struck and killed by a shuttle bus, according to ESPN.
The PGA Tour announced the start of the Championship would be delayed an hour and 20 minutes. The second round was set to begin at 7:15 a.m. ET, but now will begin at 8:35 a.m. ET. Scheffler’s tee time was 8:48 a.m. ET.
A winner of four of his past five starts, Scheffler began the 2024 PGA Championship 4 under, which tied him for 12th.
Here’s what you need to know about his arrest.
Scottie Scheffler arrested: Latest news, updates from PGA Championship
Scheffler was arrested early Friday morning after he reportedly drove on the median to get around police on the scene at the Valhalla Golf Club.
A pedestrian had reportedly tried to cross Shelbyville Rd. around 5 a.m. ET and was struck by a shuttle bus in the dedicated lane for buses, according to ESPN’s report. The man reportedly died at the scene.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, Scheffler was released on his own recognizance. The ESPN broadcast noted the City of Louisville is “incredibly responsive in trying to get this resolved today.”
Scheffler arrived at the course around 9:12 a.m. ET, and did not respond to requests to comment by media awaiting his arrival. He reportedly only responded to ESPN’s Marty Smith, telling the reporter, “I love you Marty.” He then arrived at the course to begin practicing at 9:34 a.m. ET.
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. 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.
Saturday morning, the day after Scheffler’s arrest, Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg said there was no body camera footage of the arrest, but that a camera across the street has footage that will be released before long, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. He said the city has yet to find any footage from the initial meeting between Scheffler and police.
Darlington reported Scheffler believed he was pulling around security officers rather than police officers. He was told by police to stop, and when Scheffler did not stop, the officer attached himself to Scheffler’s car. Scheffler reportedly drove another 10 yards before stopping, and when he did, the officer grabbed at his arm and tried to pull him out of the car before Scheffler opened the door.
When Scheffler opened up, the officer pulled the golfer out of his car, shoved him against the car and placed him in handcuffs. The officer then walked Scheffler over to a police car in handcuffs. As he was walked over, Scheffler reportedly looked at Darlington and said, “Please help me.”
Per Darlington, police did not know Scheffler was a golfer at the tournament. Scheffler was reportedly driving a car labeled as a PGA Tour vehicle.
In a police report obtained by ESPN’s Michael Eaves, Scheffler is alleged to have been stopped by a police detective and after receiving instructions, he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground.” The detective reportedly “suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee,” and was taken to the hospital. His pants were “damaged beyond repair.”
Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, addressed reporters after Scheffler arrived at the course and explained Scheffler was unaware traffic patterns had changed due to the accident. The attorney explained Scheffler had credentials and was allowed to go through, but he was unaware there had been a wreck that would have changed the process for reaching the course.
Asked if Scheffler ever disobeyed police, Romines said, “he did exactly as he was instructed to do.”
PGA of America issued the following statements about the events that occurred with the pedestrian and Scheffler:
This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors wa