Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, teed off at the PGA Championship just hours after being detained and handcuffed by police.
The 27-year-old man was reportedly trying to avoid a traffic jam caused by a fatal crash near Valhalla Golf Club. Kentucky.
According to NBC News, court records show the 27-year-old was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and failing a traffic-directing officer.
In a statement before the second round of the PGA Championship, Scheffler said: “This morning I was acting on the instructions of a police officer. As expected given the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, I was extremely confused. It was a huge misunderstanding of what I thought was expected of me.
“I had no intention of ignoring the instructions. Today I want to put that aside and focus on golf.”
Scotty Scheffler.Photo: Louisville Department of Corrections
The tournament game was postponed early Friday morning after a pedestrian was hit by a bus while crossing the road in the tournament vehicle lane.
Scheffler added in a statement: “All of us at the tournament extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this morning’s accident. This truly puts everything in perspective.”
Just hours after being arrested by police, Scheffler took to the Valhalla course at 10:10 a.m. to tee off on the 10th hole of the second round. There, Scheffler was greeted with roaring cheers from the audience chanting his name.
Scotty Scheffler tees off hours after being restrained and handcuffed.Photo: Associated Press
Scheffler started the day with a birdie on the 10th hole, but a bogey on the 11th hole left him 1 over par.
He also had a birdie on the 12th hole, putting him at 5 under and four strokes behind last night’s leader, Xander Schauffele.
Sky Sports News reported that the crowd was eager to see Scheffler play, cheering loudly every time he took a strong shot.
The 27-year-old has also received support from fellow golfers, with English professional Ian Poulter tweeting: “This is as simple as a misunderstanding. And clearly everything will be dropped. It’s over. I hope I can play well today as well.” ”
“Even more concerning is the tragic loss of life when a spectator was hit by a bus at the PGA,” he added. “Thoughts for the families affected by that news.”
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Scottie Scheffler received a huge cheer as he teed off in the second round.Photo: Associated Press
Scottie Scheffler celebrates after making birdie on the 12th hole.Photo: Associated Press
Austrian star Bernd Wiesberger wrote: “There must have been several unfortunate events and misunderstandings that led to this situation. What a terrible morning for the tournament.”
Scheffler was reportedly pulled from his vehicle after trying to pass a police officer around 7:20 a.m. local time on Friday.
“Traffic was backed up and increasing,” ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, said during the broadcast.
“Scottie Scheffler attempted to use the side divider to enter Valhalla Golf Club, at which point a police officer ordered him to stop.
“Scheffler attempted to continue driving, but the officer pinned himself to the side of Scheffler’s vehicle.
“As Mr. Scheffler turned into Valhalla Golf Club, he stopped his vehicle at the entrance approximately 10 to 20 yards from where the officer first instructed him to stop.
“At that point, the officer directed Scheffler to exit the vehicle.
“As he rolled out the window, the officer grabbed his arm and started pulling him.
“He reached inside the car, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out of the car, pinned him against the car, and immediately handcuffed him.”
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“Scheffler was then walked to a police car, handcuffed and placed in the back seat, very stunned by what was going on, looked at me while still handcuffed, and said, ‘Help me. Please do so,” he added.
“He had no idea what was going on in the situation. Things moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively.”
Mr Darlington said officers asked him to leave and when he identified himself as being with the media, he was told: “There’s nothing they can do. You’re going to jail.”
He said another officer then approached him with a notepad and asked if he knew the name of the person in handcuffs.
Scheffler, who has won four of the past five tournaments, enters Valhalla after a three-week break while awaiting the birth of her first child.
His wife gave birth to son Bennett last week.