Golfer Scottie Scheffler was detained by police in handcuffs after he tried to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club.
Less than an hour before his planned tee time of 10:08 a.m. ET, Scheffler arrived at Valhalla, setting the whole thing in motion.
Scheffler was attempting to drive past a collision scene on a median, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who was present when the incident occurred. Scheffler was told to stop by a policeman, but he persisted in driving in the direction of the entrance for ten or twenty yards. An officer had at one point strapped himself to Scheffler’s automobile. Scheffler pulled into the Valhalla Golf Club and put his car in park.
Scottie Scheffler rolled down his window and spoke with the officer after about 20 to 30 seconds. According to Darlington, the officer grabbed Scheffler’s arm and pulled him out of the vehicle. The officer reached into the vehicle to open the door, and after Scheffler was hauled out, he was shoved against the car and handcuffed.
Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. The assault charge is a felony; the others are misdemeanors.
The officer who arrested Scheffler was reportedly unaware of who he arrested and has since spoken out.
Detective Bryan Gillis is the Louisville, Kentucky, police officer who says he was “dragged” and injured by a car being driven by the world’s number 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, outside Valhalla Golf Course.
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The citation accusing Scottie Scheffler of felony assault says Detective Gillis “was directing traffic into Gate 1 of the Valhalla Golf Course due to the road being closed in both directions from an earlier fatal collision. Listed subject was driving eastbound to gain access to the course.”
The citation continues, “Subject pulled into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic. Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes, in full LMPD uniform, and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket.”
Detective Gillis “stopped subject and attempted to give instructions. Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel. Detective Gill’s uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were damaged beyond repair,” the citation says.
Scottie Scheffler Released A Statement After He Was Released From Jail
Scottie Scheffler was arrested Friday morning on his way to the PGA Championship.
ESPN reported he failed to follow police orders during a pedestrian fatality investigation.
Soon after he was released from jail, Scheffler released a statement explaining his side of the story:
“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,” Scheffler wrote in his Instagram story.
“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,” he wrote.
