The world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, has teed off in the second round of the US PGA Championship after an extraordinary sequence of events that occurred on Friday morning after he tried to drive into the course and was subsequently arrested, detained and booked on four separate charges by police.
Dramatic footage showed the golfer being led away in handcuffs outside the entrance to Valhalla and eye witnesses said police and Scheffler became involved in a misunderstanding over traffic flow which saw him removed from his tournament vehicle.
Scheffler then appeared to turn to ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, and say: “Can you please help me?” A police officer then told the reporter: “Right now he’s going to jail and it ain’t nothing you can do about.” Scheffler, wearing shorts and t-shirt, was guided by fellow law enforcement into a waiting car.
Starting times for Friday at Valhalla had already been delayed by one hour and 20 minutes after an early morning accident close to the course had led to the death of a pedestrian, who the US PGA of America later announced worked as a vendor on site.
Scheffler’s original tee time was 8.48am local time (1.48pm BST), meaning he had travelled to Valhalla for warm-up duties while it was still dark and he was detained shortly after 6am. Following the arrest, Scheffler was booked at 7.28am by Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections on charges of second degree assault of a police officer, third degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.
In a statement released after he arrived back at Valhalla, Scheffler said: “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.”
Reporting on what he saw as Scheffler was arrested, Darlington, said on air: “Traffic had been backed up and building, Scottie Scheffler tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club using a side median, at which point a police officer instructed him to stop. Scheffler attempted to continue to go, the police officer then attached himself to the side of Scheffler’s car.
“Scheffler stopped the vehicle as he turned into Valhalla Golf Club at the entrance, about 10 to 20 yards from the point at which the police officer first told him to stop. At that point the police officer instructed Scheffler to get out of the car. He rolled down the window, the police officer grabbed his arm and started pulling at it. He reached inside, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him up against the car, immediately placed him in handcuffs.”
LMPD had earlier released a statement on the traffic accident. “About 5am this morning, the LMPD responded to a call of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and a bus,” the statement read. “Our preliminary investigation found that an adult male pedestrian was crossing Shelbyville Road south to north when he was struck by a shuttle bus that was travelling eastbound in the compulsory centre lane dedicated for buses.
“As a result, the pedestrian received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating.”
In a statement, the US PGA of America added: “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.”
Scheffler was due to begin his second round after finishing four-under par having shot 67 in the opening round on Thursday.
