GOLF pro Scottie Scheffler could face a decade in prison after he was charged with the second-degree assault of a police officer today.
The world-renound player, 27, was arrested near the PGA Championship course after allegedly dragging a cop along the road underneath his car.
Traffic was heavy near the course in Louisville as Scheffler made his way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning.
Cops had set up traffic systems after a fatal accident and were directing cars in the dark.
Witnesses said Scheffler tried to swerve around what he thought was a group of security staff – who were in fact police.
One cop reportedly threw himself onto the golf star’s car, screaming at him to stop driving.
A police report said The Masters champion “refused to comply and accelerated forward” during the chaos, “dragging Detective Gillis” to the ground.
He was charged with a felony offence of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.
A second-degree assault is a class C felony in Kentucky which means using a “dangerous instrument” to intentionally cause injury – i.e. a car.
Conviction for class C felonies carry with them a possible jail sentence of between five and ten years.
Dramatic footage showed him being handcuffed and bundled into a police car flanked by two cops.
In three hours, Scheffler was arrested, had his mugshot snapped and made his way back to the golf course just 56 minutes before he teed off in the second round.
The golfer claimed it had been a “big misunderstanding”.
The police report said Detective Gillis “suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee”.
A mugshot of the golf star showed him with a grim expression in an orange prison shirt.
After Scheffler returned to the golf course he issued a statement on the dramatic arrest.
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 the golf today.”
He added: “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 into perspective.”
Witnesses from the scene said they also thought he fell victim to a misunderstanding.
They believed Scheffler thought players were allowed to drive through the club gates and the officer who arrested him assumed he was simply trying to skip the queue.
Another player was apparently waved through the gates, witnesses said.
Sports journalist Jeff Darlington, who was at the scene, said Scheffler pleaded with him for help as he was led away.
He revealed: “One police officer came up to me with his pad and said – pen in hand – ‘Can you tell me the name of the person we’ve just arrested?’
As the golfer was led away, Darlington was warned by cops: “Back up or you’re going to jail also!”
Another cop said: “Right now, he’s going to jail and there’s nothing you can do about it. Period.”
Today’s shocking events pushed back tee times for the second round as investigations continued following the morning’s tragic accident.
Squeaky-clean Scheffler is famed for his God-fearing family man image and has never been tainted by even a hint of scandal.
His shame came just days after his wife, Meredith, gave birth to their first child, Bennett.
Scheffler and Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns even run a bible group for players and caddies.
Before returning to action on the the USPGA tour after a three-week break to welcome his new baby, the star gushed: “At home it was a nice time to reflect a little bit on my career so far and where my life has gone.
“I married my high school sweetheart and I always wanted to play professional golf, and of course I’ve done that, and won two Masters and become world No 1.
“When I was at home I was sitting there with a newborn in my arms and the green jacket in the closet. It was a pretty special time I think.”
The drama came weeks after he was crowned Masters Champion for a second time with his four-shot victory at Augusta National.
THE images of Scottie Scheffler being hauled off to jail in handcuffs will shock the golfing world, because no-one has a more clean-cut image than the world No 1, writes David Facey.
Scheffler’s detainment for allegedly speeding past a police car on his way to tee off in round two of the USPGA Championship goes against everything the god-fearing family man stands for.
The fact that it has happened barely a week after his wife, Meredith, gave birth to their first child, Bennett, makes it even more shocking.
Scheffler and Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns organise a bible group attended by other PGA Tour players and caddies, and there has never been a whiff of scandal associated with the 27 year old.
Before returning to action at the USPGA – following a three week break to enjoy becoming a dad for the first time – Scheffler spoke about how blissfully happy his life was now.
He said: “At home it was a nice time to reflect a little bit on my career so far and where my life has gone.
“I married my high school sweetheart and I always wanted to play professional golf, and of course I’ve done that, and won two Masters and become world No 1.
“When I was at home I was sitting there with a newborn in my arms and the green jacket in the closet. It was a pretty special time I think.”
One moment of madness, or a mix-up, could see his world turned upside down.
