LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scottie Scheffler was so locked in during his second round of the 2024 PGA Championship you never would have known he was locked up just hours before his tee time.
The 27-year-old was arrested by Louisville Metropolitan Police early Friday morning and faces four charges after a misunderstanding while trying to enter Valhalla Golf Club, the host of this week’s 106th playing of the PGA of America’s flagship event. Scheffler was booked at 7:28 a.m. ET, released at 8:40 a.m. ET and finally made it to the course less than an hour before his tee time and still managed to shoot a 5-under 66 to walk off the course at 9 under, T-3 on the leaderboard.
Despite all the distractions and a limited warm-up, Scheffler birdied two of his first three holes (with a bogey in between) and was in control of his round from start to finish. He added circles to his scorecard on Nos. 18, 2, 4 and 7, and is once again in contention in a major coming of his 2024 Masters victory.
PGA: Tournament hub | Friday tee times | Photos
On the year, Scheffler has four wins in 10 starts with nine top-10 finishes and a worst showing of T-17.
Tee times were delayed on Friday after a PGA vendor, John Mills, was hit and killed by a shuttle bus on the road in front of the golf course. Scheffler was attempting to maneuver around the traffic stoppage due to the fatal accident when his interaction with police occurred.
Scheffler sent the following statement to ESPN:
“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.
“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.”
The Mayor of Louisville then released a statement during Scheffler’s round which expressed condolences for Mills’ family and also addressed Scheffler’s arrest.
“It is unfortunate that an incident took place between an LMPD officer and Mr. Scheffler while he was attempting to enter Valhalla,” the statement read. “LMPD is fully investigating this incident and the legal process will proceed.”
Scheffler is facing the following four charges: Assault in the second degree of a police officer, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic. He has retained local attorneys for the case and has an arraignment scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21.