Scottie Scheffler arrested before second round of PGA Championship but makes tee time (2024)

Dallas’ Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world, was arrested by Louisville Metro Police on Friday morning while trying to drive into the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club, the site of this week’s PGA Championship, according to multiple reports.

Scheffler was detained for not following police instructions during a traffic jam following a traffic fatality involving a pedestrian, ESPN reported. Traffic was backed up for about a mile in both directions on the only road that leads to the course, with dozens of police vehicles flashing red-and-blue lights near the entrance.

ESPN reported Scheffler, who was scheduled to tee off early in the morning, drove past a police officer when the officer went after his car and yelled at him. Once police stopped Scheffler, he was put in handcuffs.

ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington witnessed Scheffler being detained and posted video to the social media platform X.

Police said he was booked for second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. Louisville Metro police spokesman Dwight Mitchell did not immediately return a call seeking comment and information.

The officer, identified in the arrest report as Det. Gillis, was dragged “to the ground” and suffered “pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist” after the car “accelerated forward,” according to Louisville police. The officer was dressed in a high visibility reflective jacket when he stopped Scheffler’s car to give instructions, the arrest sheet said. Gillis was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

“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,” Scheffler said in a statement to Darlington. “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.”

After being released, Scheffler returned to Valhalla about an hour before his 9:08 a.m. tee time and began his second round as scheduled, making birdie on his first hole of the day. He shot 4-under 67 in Thursday’s first round after holing out for eagle on the first hole. He shot 5-under 66 in Friday’s second round.

Thursday was Scheffler’s first round of golf since he became a first-time father May 8. The 27-year-old who starred at Highland Park High School and the University of Texas has won four of his last five starts, including a win at the Masters last month.

The start of the second round of the PGA Championship was delayed after a shuttle bus struck and killed a pedestrian outside Valhalla Golf Club, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal. A man was attempting to cross a road near the entrance around 5 a.m. Friday when he was fatally struck.

Scheffler isn’t the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament. At least five others — Robert Allenby, Steven Bowditch, Matt Every, Joe Ogilvie and Jack McGurn — have been arrested either during or around a tournament.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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