In 2024, golf fanatics did not expect to wake up to the news of the arrest of a PGA Championship participant. And if you had those fans guess which of the 156 golfers at Valhalla Golf Club was taken away in handcuffs, Scottie Scheffler might have been 156th.
Yet that was the reality in Louisville in the early hours before Round 2 at the major championship. Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world, was arrested for reportedly driving on a median to get around police at a crash scene near the entrance to the club, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported.
The arrest occurred during an eventful stretch for Scheffler. He won the Masters a month earlier, became a first-time dad the previous week and then found himself at the center of one of this year’s most intriguing off-the-course stories.
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Despite the extra events leading up to his tee time, Scheffler was in the box in time to start his second round at Valhalla.
How is it that Scheffler went from handcuffs to the course in the span of a few hours? The Sporting News breaks down the arrest timeline and his return for Round 2 at the PGA Championship.
Scottie Scheffler arrest timeline at 2024 PGA Championship
Fatal accident occurs at Valhalla (5:09 a.m.)
The heightened police presence Friday at Valhalla came after a fatal accident earlier in the morning. A pedestrian reportedly was struck by a shuttle bus while attempting to cross Shelbyville Rd. around 5 a.m. ET, ESPN reported.
The man, who worked with one of the vendors at the PGA Championship, died at the scene.
The PGA issued the following statement:
This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.
Scottie Scheffler detained by Louisville Police (6:01 a.m.)
Just after 6 a.m., Scheffler was reportedly detained by Louisville police after he attempted to drive around the crash scene, ESPN reported.
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
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
Scheffler believed he was pulling around security officers, not police officers, Darlington reported. Scheffler was driving a car labeled as a PGA Tour vehicle.
He was told by police to stop, and when Scheffler did not oblige with the request, the officer attached himself to Scheffler’s car. Scheffler reportedly drove another 10 yards before stopping. When he did, the officer grabbed at his arm and tried to pull him out of the vehicle before Scheffler opened the door.
After Scheffler opened the door, the officer pulled the golfer out of his vehicle, shoved him against the car and placed him in handcuffs. The officer then walked Scheffler over to a police car in handcuffs.
As he was making his way to the police vehicle, Scheffler reportedly looked at Darlington and said, “Please help me.” Per Darlington, police did not know Scheffler was a golfer at the tournament.
In a police report obtained by ESPN’s Michael Eaves, Scheffler is alleged to have been stopped by a police detective. Per the police report, he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground.” The detective reportedly “suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee” and was taken to the hospital. His pants were “damaged beyond repair.”
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Scottie Scheffler booked at Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections (7:28 a.m.)
Scheffler was taken away to Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections for booking at 7:28 a.m.
He faces four charges — second degree assault of a police officer, third degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic. The assault of a police officer is a felony, while the rest are misdemeanors.
He was placed in an orange jumpsuit and a mugshot was taken at the facility.
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
Scottie Scheffler released on his own recognizance (8:40 a.m.)
Scheffler was released from the Department of Corrections at 8:40 a.m. without bail.
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla (9:12 a.m.)
Scheffler arrived at Valhalla for the second round of the PGA Championship. Jimmy Kirchdorfer, one of the owners at the golf club, was in the car that escorted Scheffler to the course.
One of the owners of Valhalla…. Jimmy Kirchdorfer was in the car with Scottie Scheffler when he got dropped off at Valhalla clubhouse…. Video via ESPN pic.twitter.com/ZuATKNsWXu
— Kent Spencer (@WHAS11Kent) May 17, 2024
Scheffler was unaware traffic patterns had changed due to the accident, his attorney Steve Romines told reporters after the golfer arrived at the course. Asked if Scheffler ever disobeyed police, Romines said: “He did exactly as he was instructed to do.”
Scottie Scheffler tees off for Round 2 at PGA Championship (10:08 a.m.)
The start of the round was delayed 80 minutes due to the fatal traffic accident. With a new tee time of 10:08 a.m., Scheffler made it to the course in time for Friday’s cut day.
While Scheffler may not have been able to get his entire warmup in for Round 2, he picked up right where he left off. After shooting 6 under Thursday, the two-time Masters champion birdied his first hole.
Scottie Scheffler birdies the first hole pic.twitter.com/6UYFmHf3eZ
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) May 17, 2024
How did Scottie Scheffler finish at the 2024 PGA Championship?
Scheffler finished tied for eighth at the 2024 PGA Championship, wrapping up at 13-under par. He finished eight strokes behind winner Xander Schauffele, who set a new major record for best 72-hole score.
Scheffler was arrested before the second round, but it was the third round that doomed him in an otherwise clean tournament. Scheffler shot a 66 immediately after his arrest, making himself a real contender heading into the weekend, but a 73 in the third round pushed him away from the pack.
At the time, Scheffler was considered the best in the world. An eighth-place finish wasn’t what he envisioned fresh off his second Masters win, but all things considered, it was still an impressive tournament for a player who had to complete one round just hours after being booked and released from jail.
