Golf

Charges against Scottie Scheffler from Valhalla incident to be dropped

Golfer was arrested as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club, during the US PGA Championship

World number one Scottie Scheffler was detained by police for reportedly attempting to get around a traffic jam. Photograph: Jeff Darlington/Handout/PA Wire
Wed May 29 2024 - 18:03

Charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler are being dropped on Wednesday, per multiple reports.

An agreement between Scheffler and the Louisville Metro Police Department stipulates that both sides agree not to pursue any legal actions related to his May 17th arrest, according to NewsRadio 840 WHAS.

The 27-year-old was arrested as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club, site of the US PGA Championship. Traffic had been stopped outside the course after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a shuttle bus.

According to the arrest citation, Scheffler failed to stop on arresting officer Bryan Gillis' command, and the detective grabbed the golfer's tournament car as Scheffler tried to drive away. Gillis fell to the ground.

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As a result, Scheffler was facing charges of felony second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler, who called the events a “big misunderstanding,” was released from jail in time to play his second round. A four-time PGA Tour winner this season, Scheffler was the overwhelming pre-tournament favourite. He finished tied for eighth at 13-under-par.

Gillis later was disciplined by his department because his body-worn camera was turned off.

However, a new video surfaced Wednesday of Scheffler's conversation with an officer while sitting in the back of a police car. In it, Scheffler said he didn't know that the man wearing a yellow jacket and trying to stop him was a policeman. Scheffler also said the officer "hit" him with a flashlight.

"If I knew he was a police officer, I would have been much less afraid," Scheffler said. "But panic kind of set in. As you can see, I'm still shaking because I was afraid. I didn't know who he was. He didn't say, 'Police, get out of the car.' He just hit me with his flashlight and yelled, 'Get out of the car.'"

Scheffler’s arraignment had been set for June 3rd and his Louisville-based attorney, Steven Romines, previously said he would plead not guilty and would not accept a plea deal.

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