World’s #1 Golfer Tossed Against Car, Arrested In Kentucky — Calls “Very Chaotic Situation”

The world’s #1 golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and taken to jail on several charges – including a felony charge of assaulting a police officer, after he tried to bypass a massive traffic backup to enter the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville Kentucky.

Scheffler was set to tee off for his second round of the PGA Championship at 8:48 ET alongside Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman, when he was detained and booked.

In viral footage, Scheffler was seen being led into the police car in handcuffs.

Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

“Can you please help me?” he was heard asking a nearby journalist.

Scheffler reportedly thought he was bypassing security staff, when it was in fact cops who told him to stop due to an earlier traffic accident that he was not involved in. When he didn’t, the officer attached himself to the golfer’s car – which Scheffler drove approximately 30 feet before stopping, ESPN reports.

Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.

pic.twitter.com/GnRFR9gEgS

— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024

The officer is then said to have grabbed at Scheffler’s car, attempting to pull him out before Scheffler opened the door – after which he was dragged out of the vehicle, thrown up against it, and placed in handcuffs. 

The 27-year-old golfer was later booked into jail and released by the Louisiana Department of Corrections.

He’s been charged with:

•     Second-degree assault of a police officer, which is a felony
•     Third-degree criminal mischief
•     Reckless driving
•     Disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic

Following the arrest, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington said “One police officer came up to me with his pad and said – pen in hand – “Can you tell me the name of the person we’ve just arrested?”"

Earlier, when Darlington tried to get the attention of the officers, he was warned “Back up or you’re going to jail also!”

“Right now, he’s going to jail,” another officer said. “He’s going to jail and there’s nothing you can do about it. Period.”

Update: Scheffler, meanwhile, has described the arrest as a “big misunderstanding” following “a very chaotic situation.”

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.

Statement from Scottie Scheffler to me: “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…

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

Scottie Scheffler this morning: pic.twitter.com/jPHyDVyma4

— StevenM (@mobster84) May 17, 2024

Rory driving past Scottie Scheffler this morning pic.twitter.com/dVhDBDpN4p

— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) May 17, 2024