Scottie Scheffler released after incident outside the PGA Championship venue, puts arrest aside to remain in contention at Valhalla

Scottie Scheffler has said his “head is still spinning” after the incident which led to him being arrested and charged prior to his second round at the US PGA Championship, and what was an extraordinary few hours, did not affect his golf.

Scottie Scheffler shook off his dramatic arrest finish in a share of fourth after his second round of the US PGA Championship following one of the strangest ever scenes at a major tournament.

The two-time Masters champion made five birdies against a lone bogey to charge into a share for third place on 8-under overall after 14 holes. He went on to card a 6-under 66 and is 9-under for the tournament. At the halfway mark of the tournament the world number one trails leader Xander Schauffele by three shots. Schauffele posted a 10-under 62 on Thursday at Valhalla, matching the lowest major round in history. Lucas Herbert is the best placed Australian in the field tied 16th at 5-under par.

Scheffler, 27, was charged with felony assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic and released.

“I still feel like my head is spinning a little bit but I was fortunate to be able to make it back out and play some golf,” Scheffler told media at the course.

Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro police after he drove onto curbing to try and get around a prior accident at the entrance of the golf course, one that resulted in the fatality of a pedestrian named as John Mills.

“My sympathies go out to the family of Mr. Mills,” Scheffler said. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through.” He added: “My situation will get handled. It was a chaotic situation. I can’t comment on any of the specifics, but it was just a huge misunderstanding that will get resolved I think fairly quickly.”

In a statement released earlier while he was on the driving range, Scheffler said, “I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.” A police report on the incident obtained by ESPN said arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed orders to stop his car and accelerated, dragging the officer to the ground.

Gillis was hospitalized with pain, bruising and swelling in his left wrist and knee. An arraignment is set for Tuesday.

Scheffler was the focus of most spectators, as they lined the course to cheer him every hole, some while wearing T-shirts with his new mugshot image taken hours earlier.

Before dawn, Scheffler was taken into custody and charged with assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic from an incident at the entrance to Valhalla.

Scheffler shakes hands with fans wearing Scheffler t-shirts as he walks off the ninth green. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

He was handcuffed and taken into custody after driving over a curb trying to get around a traffic accident, one that resulted in the death of a pedestrian, and according to police dragging a police officer with his car so severely the man was hospitalised.

In a surreal morning at a major for a world number one, Scheffler was ordered out of his car, arrested, booked, had his mugshot taken in an orange jumpsuit and released into his own custody just in time to get back to the course and practice before his second round began.

Scheffler during round two. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

EARLIER

Scheffler earlier arrived at Valhalla Golf Club, and he is dressed to play following unbelievable scenes at a major championship.

The world’s number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was taken into custody by police after an incident while trying to get into the club, which is hosting the PGA Championship.

Questions swirled as to whether or not Scheffler would even make it to the course in time, let alone play, after the chaos in which he was arrested at 6.01am local time, and spent three hours in police custody.

But the world No. 1 and reigning Masters champion not only arrived at the club an hour before tee time, but within 30 minutes walked down to the practice range to warm up.

Scheffler was detained by a Louisville Metro police officer when he drove on curbing to try and get around a fatal accident to get into the golf course.

The PGA of America later confirmed a worker with a vendor was struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside the club an hour earlier.

In a statement to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the Scheffler incident, the world No. 1 explained the “misunderstanding” that landed him in jail with four charges to his name.

“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” the statement read.

“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.

Scottie Scheffler looks on from the driving range during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. Picture: Getty Images

“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.”

Scheffler was enthusiastically welcomed by spectators as he teed off on time at the 10th hole.

Scottie Scheffler's statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024

HOW IT UNFOLDED

Louisville’s WAVE-TV news and Golf Digest reported Scheffler was charged with assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

ESPN reported Scheffler was detained by police after attempting to drive past a police officer into the club several hours ago.

“The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla,’’ ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington said on X.

“The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.

“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs.

“He is now being detained in the back of a police car.’’

Statement from Scottie Scheffler to me: “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…

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

Darlington posted a photo of Scheffler walking handcuffed outside the venue.

It is understood one of the reasons Scheffler became agitated was there had been an accident outside the venue which featured a fatality and a huge traffic jam.

ESPN reported there were “dozens’’ of police cars outside the venue and access to the course temporarily became cut.

Players were told they would be given priority access to the venue but Scheffler was arrested by a policeman who, ESPN reporters believe, did not know who he was.

“I know that because one of the policeman asked me “do you know the name of the man in the car?.’’ an ESPN reporter said.

Scottie Scheffler mug shot after his arrest.

Scheffler’s mug shot surfaced online after he was booked into Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.

US media reported Scheffler has been charged with second degree assault of a police officer, third degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic

The second round of the PGA Championship has been delayed by one hour and 20 minutes, and there was no indication if Scheffler would be released in time to play.

US media later reported Scheffler had been released and would arrive about an hour before tee time.

Scheffler was in 12th position entering round two after making four under par in his opening round.

Per coverage of the PGA Championship on KAYO Sports, Scheffler may be free to play without penalty due to Rule 5.3A, which dictates that the “Committee decides that exceptional circumstances prevented you from starting on time.”

Scottie Scheffler arrives at the course after being detained by police before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

He arrived at the course just after 11.10pm (AEST), just under an hour before his scheduled tee time.

Scheffler, trying to become the first player since 2015 to win the first two majors in a calendar year, would have time to practice putting and drives before his revised start time off the 10th tee.

Police had been dealing with traffic congestion from an earlier accident that Scheffler was not involved in, one in which a pedestrian was killed by a vehicle, according to witnesses and US media reports.

Originally published as Scottie Scheffler released after incident outside the PGA Championship venue, puts arrest aside to remain in contention at Valhalla