Golf world primary Scottie Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested on Friday after allegedly dragging a police officer along with his automobile whereas making an attempt to keep away from site visitors controls exterior the PGA Championship at Valhalla. In one of many strangest scenes ever at a significant match, Scheffler was taken into custody by police, booked with a mugshot taken in an orange jumpsuit, launched, returned to the course in time for his second spherical, then recovered properly sufficient to fireplace a five-under par 66 and share third early within the second spherical.
“I nonetheless really feel like my head is spinning slightly bit however I used to be lucky to have the ability to make it again out and play some golf,” Scheffler stated. “I’ve stored myself within the match now with a fairly chaotic day.”
Scheffler, 27, was charged with felony assault on a police officer, felony mischief, reckless driving and disregarding indicators from an officer directing site visitors and launched.
“My scenario will get dealt with,” Scheffler stated. “I can not touch upon any of the specifics, but it surely was simply an enormous misunderstanding that can get resolved I feel pretty rapidly.”
Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro police after he drove onto curbing making an attempt to get round a previous accident on the Valhalla entrance, one which resulted within the fatality of a pedestrian named as John Mills.
“My sympathies exit to the household of Mr. Mills,” Scheffler stated. “I can not think about what they are going by.”
A police report on the incident obtained by ESPN stated arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed orders to cease his automobile and accelerated, dragging the officer to the bottom.
Gillis was hospitalized with ache, bruising and swelling in his left wrist and knee. An arraignment is ready for Tuesday.
“I by no means supposed to ignore any of the directions,” Scheffler stated in an announcement earlier than his spherical.
Scheffler, who gained his second Masters title final month, arrived at Valhalla’s clubhouse about half-hour after his launch and just below an hour earlier than his begin time within the second spherical, which started after an 80-minute delay because of the accident.
“We had been devastated to study {that a} employee with one among our distributors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus,” the PGA of America stated in an announcement. “That is heartbreaking to all of us concerned with the PGA Championship.”
The PGA of America later recognized Mills and stated of Scheffler, “We’re totally cooperating as native authorities evaluate what happened.”
‘I used to be fairly rattled’
Scheffler was pushed from the reserving, by the proprietor of Valhalla Golf Membership in line with ESPN, to the clubhouse, the place he ate breakfast and turned into his golf attire earlier than going to the follow vary to organize for his spherical.
“I used to be fairly rattled to say the least,” Scheffler stated. “I used to be shaking. I might say in shock and in concern. Popping out right here and making an attempt to play right now was undoubtedly a problem, however I did my finest.
“It most likely took a couple of holes to really feel regular.”
Followers cheered as Scheffler walked by the rain onto the course and gave him an enormous ovation simply earlier than his first shot landed in the appropriate tough on his approach to a gap birdie.
“The followers had been large right now,” Scheffler stated. “I felt like they had been cheering further loud for me.”
Scheffler’s mugshot in an orange jumpsuit was posted by the Louisville Metropolitan Division of Corrections after he was booked. Some followers had it on T-shirts on the course.
Scheffler has gained 4 of his previous 5 begins, capturing Bay Hill and the Gamers in March, dropping in a playoff on the Houston Open, then successful the Masters and Heritage final month.
American Mark Hubbard, on 133 with Scheffler, was amazed at his efficiency.
“I noticed as everyone did the mug shot and the police report,” Hubbard stated. “Unbelievable that he will get arrested after which goes out and shoots 66.”
Scheffler was the feel-good story of the week at Valhalla, hoping to win his third main title every week after turning into a father for the primary time. His spouse, Meredith, gave delivery to son Bennett 9 days in the past.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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