Scottie Scheffler was arrested by police just hours before he was due to tee off in the second round as the PGA Championship descended into chaos.
The Masters champion had been due to start at 1.48pm BST (8.48am local time) at Valhalla, but footage has emerged of Scheffler being led away by police officers in handcuffs before being charged in a major disruption to his hopes of challenging for the year’s second major.
Scheffler faced charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. He was released and made his way to the course less than an hour before he was due to tee off at the revised time of 3.08pm BST (10.08am local time), before explaining the “chaotic situation”:
He said: “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.”
The American, among the favourites for the second major of the year, was stopped apparently attempting to enter the course early this morning, with a traffic fatality involving a pedestrian causing heavy traffic around the Valhalla property.
ESPN report that the car accident led to a police presence around the entrance to the course, with Scheffler’s car halted after attempting to drive past officers.
Remarkable footage showed to the 27-year-old exiting his vehicle and being placed in handcuffs. The golfer, wearing a polo shirt and black shorts, was led away by two officers and placed into a car after pleading for help, with an ESPN reporter told “right now, he’s going to jail”.
Scheffler was booked by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections (LMDP) at 7.28am local time (12.28pm BST).
The start of the second day’s play was delayed after the fatal accident.
“Play of Round 2 will begin at 8:35 AM (1.35pm BST),” the PGA Championship confirmed in a statement. “All Round 2 Starting Times are delayed 1 hour and 20 minutes from the originally published time. All spectator gates will open at 8:00 AM.”
Scheffler recorded a four-under round of 67 to sit tied for 12th after round one, five shots behind leader Xander Schauffele. Friday’s play may also be disrupted by inclement weather which is forecast to arrive at Valhalla.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, said on air: “Traffic had been backed up and building, Scottie Scheffler tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club using a side median, at which point a police officer instructed him to stop.
“Scheffler attempted to continue to go, the police officer then attached himself to the side of Scheffler’s car.
“Scheffler stopped the vehicle as he turned into Valhalla Golf Club at the entrance, about 10 to 20 yards from the point at which the police officer first told him to stop.
“At that point the police officer instructed Scheffler to get out of the car.
“He rolled down the window, the police officer grabbed his arm and started pulling at it. He reached inside, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him up against the car, immediately placed him in handcuffs.”
