World's top golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested on charges of assaulting officer at PGA championship event (2024)

World's top golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested on charges of assaulting officer at PGA championship event (1)

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World’s top golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested by Louisville Metro police

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Scottie Scheffler, the top golfer in the world, was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer and reckless driving after a chaotic incident just outside of the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, early Friday morning.

Scheffler was released without bail within hours and returned to make his tee time for the second round of the tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club. He shot a 66, five under par, moving up the leaderboard into a tie for fourth place after beginning the day tied for 12th.

The 27-year-old golfer was detained after he drove on a median toward the entrance to the club and initially failed to heed an officer's order to stop, according to an ESPN reporter who witnessed the incident.

Traffic outside the entrance at the time was being rerouted after a man was hit and killed by a shuttle bus earlier that day.

A Louisville Metro Police Department report alleged that around 6:16 a.m. ET, Scheffler swerved into opposing traffic lanes to avoid backed-up traffic and gain access to the golf course.

A Louisville Police detective, in uniform and wearing a high-visibility rain jacket, stopped Scheffler and tried to give him instructions, but the golfer "refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging [the officer] to the ground," the report said.

The detective, Bryan Gillis "suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee" and was taken to a hospital, according to the report, which was obtained by NBC affiliate WAVE3 in Louisville.

"Detective Gillis' uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair," the report noted.

Scheffler, who won his second Masters tournament last month, in a statement released shortly before his scheduled tee time Friday morning said the incident was the result of a "big misunderstanding."

Mugshot of PGA Golfer Scott Alexander Scheffler, who was arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer after trying to enter the PGA Championship venue, on May 17, 2024.

Source: Louisville Metro Police Department

"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," Scheffler said in a post on his official Instagram account.

"There was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do," he said. "I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today."

The Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections website showed that Scheffler was booked at 7:28 a.m. ET.

The booking information initially showed charges of second-degree assault on a police officer — a felony — as well as third-degree misdemeanor criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler was released from the Louisville facility without bail shortly before 9 a.m. ET, according to WAVE3.

Scottie Scheffler arrives to the course during the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 17, 2024.

Ben Jared | PGA Tour | Getty Images

"We'll just let it all play out, that's the extent of what we know. It's moving pretty fast at this time, but we'll litigate the case as it comes," Scheffler's lawyer, Steve Romines, told reporters after the golfer's release.

In a statement to CNBC, Romines said Scheffler was driving to the golf course to start his preround preparations and "proceeding as directed by another traffic officer."

"Due to the combination of event traffic and a traffic fatality in the area, it was a very chaotic situation," Romines said.

"In the confusion, Scottie is alleged to have disregarded a different officer's traffic signals resulting in these charges," the attorney said, adding, "multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed."

"He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle," according to Romines."

Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. and his caddie, Ted Scott, walk to the driving range during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 17, 2024.

Ross Kinnaird | Getty Images

Scheffler, who has won four of the last five tournaments he started, teed off just after 10:08 a.m. ET from the 10th hole for the second day of the championship. He arrived at Valhalla Golf Club around 9:10 a.m. ET, giving him less than an hour to prepare.

The PGA Tour and PGA of America referred CNBC to Scheffler's statement when asked for comment on his arrest.

ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington said Friday morning that he saw Scheffler "detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security."

Scottie Scheffler tees off No. 10 to begin his second round of the PGA Championship, May 17, 2024, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Matthew Maxey | Icon Sportswire | Getty Images

"When he didn't stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle. Scheffler then traveled another 10 yards before stopping the car," Darlington said on ESPN's "SportsCenter."

"The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs," Darlington said.

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World's top golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested on charges of assaulting officer at PGA championship event (2024)

FAQs

World's top golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested on charges of assaulting officer at PGA championship event? ›

Scheffler was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but the golfer said “he never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” and that the incident was caused by a misunderstanding. After the news conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said his client was not at fault.

Who was the officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler? ›

Detective Bryan Gillis took Scheffler into custody a week ago Friday when the golfer sought to enter Valhalla Golf Club as police investigated a nearby fatal accident.

What is Scottie Scheffler accused of? ›

Scheffler, 27, a new father with a sterling reputation, was charged with felony second-degree assault on a police officer, along with lesser charges of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic, according to Jefferson County court records.

Why was Scotty arrested? ›

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested Friday morning on his way to the PGA Championship, for failing to follow police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.

How much money has Scottie Scheffler made in 2024? ›

Even so, he managed to finish T8 and earn over $520 thousand, an amount that has helped him reach over $19.2 million for the 2024 season on the PGA Tour. His recent outings have brought his career earnings total to over $85 million, with almost $60 million coming from official tournaments, according to Spotrac.

Did Scottie Scheffler get charged? ›

More from Golf Digest

Scheffler was arrested on Friday morning outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from a officer directing traffic.

Who is Bryan Gillis? ›

— We're learning more about Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) Det. Bryan Gillis, the one who arrested pro golfer Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship on May 17. Gillis began working at LMPD in November 2007. Since then, he's received numerous letters of commendation for his work with the department.

What was Scheffler detained for? ›

Scheffler was booked at 7:28 a.m. Friday. He was charged with felony second-degree assault on a police officer, along with lesser charges of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic, according to Jefferson County court records.

Why was Scheffler detained? ›

(AP) — Two-time Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested after police say he dragged an officer while trying to get around the scene of a fatal accident Friday ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.

Does Scottie Scheffler have a wife and kids? ›

After a three-week break that included the birth of his first son (Scheffler and wife Meredith welcomed a baby boy on May 8), Scheffler arrived in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday as he readied to pursue his second straight major title.

How much money is Scottie Scheffler worth? ›

The 27-year-old golfer has already won two official PGA Tour events and has earned more than $10 million in prize money in the 2022-23 season alone. Scheffler's net worth varies depending on the publication, but it is estimated to be between $4 million and $18 million.

How much money does Scottie Scheffler have? ›

AUGUSTA, Ga. — There's winning and then there's winning at the right time. Scottie Scheffler continues to do both. With his second Masters victory, good for $3.6 million, and yet another signature event win, the 2024 RBC Heritage, Scheffler has amassed $61,258,464 in career on-course earnings on the PGA Tour.

How much money has Scottie Scheffler made in the last 2 years? ›

Scottie Scheffler career earnings
SeasonEvents playedWinnings
2016-171
2017-183$25,080
2018-194$139,871
2019-2023$2,833,438
7 more rows
Apr 14, 2024

How did Scottie Scheffler meet his wife? ›

Meredith Scudder and Scottie Sheffler met at Highland Park High School. The couple graduated in 2014 and have been together ever since.

How did Scottie Scheffler meet his caddie? ›

Interestingly, they met in a Bible study group. "I just think the world of him as a person so that was why I was attracted to him just being a potential good partner for me out on the course," Scott said after their first tournament together.

Was Scottie Scheffler sponsored by Titleist? ›

Scheffler has endorsem*nt deals with Nike, TaylorMade, and Titleist.

How old was Scottie Scheffler? ›

The 27-year-old Scheffler, the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, was attempting to get to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, around 6 a.m. when police say he illegally bypassed the scene of an accident where a pedestrian was killed.

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