WORLD No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been arrested and is facing four charges including second-degree assault of a police officer.
The pro, 27, was dramatically detained by cops outside the PGA Championship today – just hours before he was due to tee off.
The Masters champion was arrested by Louisville Metro Police while trying to drive into the entrance of this week’s PGA Championship – allegedly around the scene of a deadly bus crash.
Scottie Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
The golfer was seen in video wearing a light blue shirt, dark shorts, and trainers with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was led by cops to a police car parked outside Valhalla Golf Club.
He appeared stony-faced, wearing a bright orange prison uniform, in a mugshot taken at Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections and released by cops on Friday afternoon.
Scheffler was detained after he allegedly ignored police orders and drove through an area where cops were looking into a death.
A pedestrian had earlier been hit by a shuttle bus and killed while crossing Shelbyville Road in a line dedicated to tournament traffic.
He was tragically struck about 5 am and pronounced dead at the scene, with cops and first responders still at the site by 6.45 am.
ESPN journalist Jeff Darlington said he watched as a cop screamed at the athlete to stop driving and at one point attached himself to the side of the vehicle, which had PGA Championship markings on its door.
After about 20 or 30 seconds, Scheffler rolled down his window to talk to the officer – who pulled the golfer from his car, pushed him up against the vehicle, and cuffed him, according to Darlington.
The reporter claimed Scheffler looked at him and said: “Please help me,” before an officer instructed Darlington to move away.
Darlington said the cop told him: “You need to get out of the way. Right now, he’s going to jail, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
The world No.1 golfer was due to start the second round of the tournament at 8.48 am this morning.
Video showed the golfer being marched over to a police car, its lights flashing red and blue, before he was guided into the back seat.
Traffic was backed up for about a mile in both directions on the only road that leads to Valhalla Golf Club and only began to move a little before 7 am.
ESPN reported Scheffler has been released by Louisville Police.
The PGA Championship announced the play would be delayed because of the bus accident, with the second round to start an hour and 20 minutes later than scheduled tee times – meaning Scheffler was not due to start until a little after 10 am.
Whether Scheffler plays is up to him, his attorney said.
Scheffler’s arrest came just weeks after he was crowned Masters Champion with his four-shot victory at Augusta National.
It was the second time the golfer won The Masters in just three years, living up to his billing as pre-tournament favorite by claiming the Green Jacket.
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.
