Yes, you read that right: Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer and a new dad, was detained by police early Friday morning before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.
Why? What the heck happened? And what happened next? We’re here to fill you in on the developing story as the second round on Friday was also delayed (not because of Scheffler’s detainment but for other reasons).
So here’s everything we know so far as the story broke early on Friday morning, and we’ll update this with more information as it continues to come in:
Scottie Scheffler was apparently detained and handcuffed by police outside of Valhalla
This, per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington:
Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car,…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
The rest of that tweet:
The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. 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.
Darlington had more to say about the incident
Darlington just said on SportsCenter that after a somewhat chaotic and confusing exchange as Scheffler tried to enter the property, Scheffler tried to continue driving into the golf course and the officer started yelling obscenities at him. Then when Scheffler rolled his window…
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) May 17, 2024
Again, more:
Then when Scheffler rolled his window down, the officer reached into his vehicle and grabbed his arm.
.@JeffDarlington just said on SportsCenter that a police officer, who thought Darlington was with Scheffler as perhaps a manager or agent, said to him as he approached the situation, "there's nothing you can do, he's going to jail."
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) May 17, 2024
.@JeffDarlington said on SportsCenter just now the Scheffler in handcuffs situation moved "very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively" and that at one point Scheffler, who was with the police at the time, looked at Darlington — who was also entering the property — and said…
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) May 17, 2024
Scheffler reportedly said “Please help me.”
What the heck is going on right now? Scottie Scheffler arrested trying to get into Valhalla?! pic.twitter.com/a3coox510t
— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
More reported details here
On SC now: Scheffler asked Darlington for help, the police officer’s response is below. Scheffler was in an official PGA vehicle. https://t.co/qOGAHVOI0A
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) May 17, 2024
Scheffler did not stop the vehicle for “10,20 yards” after police told him to stop according to @JeffDarlington. He stopped and things escalated from there. Police put handcuffs on Scheffler in the back of the car – then took them off to adjust his wrists, then returned…
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) May 17, 2024
Context from Andy North, there’s often run-ins with security trying to get in and out of events – but nothing like this has ever happened at a major involving a player. Surreal scene.
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) May 17, 2024
Scheffler was booked and here’s his mug shot
Scottie Scheffler was officially booked at 7:28 a.m. this morning. Here's the headshot included with it. No other info provided yet. pic.twitter.com/yDMZlJvKGd
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) May 17, 2024
Here’s video of the incident with police
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
The delay at the PGA Championship wasn’t related to Scheffler’s detainment
At least an hour delay in the start of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/XfgaL6LXOg
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) May 17, 2024
Round 2 was delayed after a pedestrian was killed by a bus that was near the golf club, per local police.
Per Pat Forde, he was released
Scheffler was charged with:
Second-degree assault of a police officer
Third-degree criminal mischief
Reckless driving
Disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing trafficHe has been released on his own recognizance, per reports.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) May 17, 2024
Scheffler was back at Valhalla and was ready to play at his 10:08 a.m. tee time
Scottie Scheffler is on the range at Valhalla.
His tee time is 10:08 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/rxq4DvAxEK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
