Scottie Scheffler hoped to win his first PGA Championship, starting strong on Thursday. However, Friday proved challenging for the golfer right from the start. Before entering Valhalla Golf Course in Louisville, Kentucky, Scheffler found himself in legal trouble, leading to an arrest.
According to ESPN, Scheffler, in a PGA-marked SUV, drove past an officer who then insisted he stop, eventually clinging to the vehicle. Scheffler stopped his car after traveling an additional 10 yards. Jeff Darlington of ESPN described it as a "misunderstanding with traffic flow," linked to an earlier traffic fatality investigation.
"Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back, in handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked toward me as he was in those handcuffs and said, ‘Please help me,’" reported Darlington on ESPN’s "SportsCenter." The arrest was swift and aggressive, leaving Scheffler bewildered.
Darlington captured the arrest on video, sharing it on his X account. The footage shows Scheffler handcuffed and escorted by police near the tournament venue.
"One officer made it clear at the scene, 'Right now, he’s going to jail, and there ain’t nothing you can do about it,'" Darlington reported.
Scheffler faced multiple charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, and reckless driving. He was booked into the Louisville Department of Corrections.
Despite the arrest, Scheffler was released in time for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He had recently returned from a break in Dallas, where he was celebrating the birth of his first child on May 8.
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele led the tournament after the first round at 9-under par. Close behind were Sahith Theegala, Tony Finau, and Mark Hubbard, all tied at 6-under.
Ranked number one globally, Scheffler started the tournament tied for 12th, with a score of 4-under par.