LOUISVILLE, Ky. – World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was booked into a Louisville jail Friday morning after being detained by police near the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club, the site of this week’s 2024 PGA Championship.
Scheffler, 27, was booked shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to online records published by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. He is being charged with second degree assault on a police officer, which is a felony, as well as criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington witnessed the arrest, explaining that “a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to (Scheffler’s) attempt to drive past a police officer” toward the golf course. The second round of play at Valhalla had been delayed after a pedestrian was struck and killed near the entrace to the golf course, resulting in significant police activity in the area.
Louisville police and Scheffler’s agent did not immediately reply to messages from USA TODAY Sports seeking comment and more information.
Scheffler, the reigning Master’s champion, shot a 4-under-par 67 in Thursday’s opening round and is tied for 12th. He was scheduled to tee off at 10:08 a.m.
Darlington posted a video clip on social media of Scheffler being escorted by police while in handcuffs ahead of the second round of play, and described the events as he witnessed them on social media and on ESPN. The video shows police detaining Scheffler and an officer telling Darlington that the golfer is going to jail. Darlington added that Scheffler, while in handcuffs, looked toward to the reporter and said: “Please help me.”
“They told him to stop,” Darlington said in an appearance on ESPN. “When he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle. Scheffler then traveled another 10 yards before stopping the car. The police officer then grabbed at his arm attempting to pull him out of the car before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs.”
The start of the second round was scheduled to begin at 8:35 a.m., according to the PGA, with all listed tee times delayed one hour and 20 minutes.
Contributing: Tom Schad; Scooby Axson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Scottie Scheffler arrested before start of PGA Championship