Outraged PGA Tour Golfers Demand Justice for Scottie Scheffler After Arrest

Reactions started pouring in after the news of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest broke out. The world’s No. 1 golfer was ‘going to jail‘, said the officer in charge to Jeff Darlington of ESPN. Per Darlington, the two-time Major winner was trying to bypass the traffic. After a confusing and chaotic exchange with the officers, Scheffler was slowly moving towards Valhalla in an official PGA Championship car. However, the police pulled him out and handcuffed him. A bewildered Scheffler asked Darlington for help, as the officer didn’t know that he was a golfer playing at the PGA Championship.

According to Scheffler’s attorney, Steven Romines, the 27-year-old was headed towards the Valhalla golf course to prepare for the second round of the PGA Championship. In the early hours of the morning, at around 5 a.m. ET, there had been an accident near the golf course, which caused the death of an individual because of which the traffic outside the golf course was stopped by the police.

Scheffler had no knowledge about the incident, which created confusion and misunderstanding, which led to his arrest. Romines stated, “He was getting ready for his tee time. They were directing traffic. He held his credential out and was going in like they’d been instructed to. Apparently, there had been a traffic accident, maybe even a fatality, down the road, and that had changed the traffic patterns, and he was unaware of that.”

The police record states, “THERE IS NO VISITATION UNTIL THE INMATE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AND MOVED TO A HOUSING UNIT.” Per Olivia Russell of Wave3News, the NBC affiliate in Kentucky, “Scottie Scheffler, is being booked into Louisville Metro Department of Corrections. He’s charged with assault of a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.” Assault of a police officer is a class C felony in Kentucky, which, if convicted, might result in 5–10 years of imprisonment.

The officer who was involved in the incident was identified as Det. Bryan Gillis, who, according to the arrest report, sustained “pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist.” Fortunately, the situation was under control and Scheffler headed straight towards the Valhalla Golf Course after he was released at 8:40 a.m. ET.

Scottie Scheffler addressed the situation and released a statement on his social media platform that stated, “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.”

It has shocked the world, with netizens claiming this to be a case of overreach. As the news reached his colleagues at the PGA Tour, his first reaction was shock. And, then, as more details and the dreadful visuals circulated, they demanded Scheffler be freed.

PGA Tour pros want Scottie Scheffler back at the PGA Championship

Primary reports indicate that it was a case of regrettable confusion between Scottie Scheffler and the police. The 10-time PGA Tour winner wanted to bypass traffic, thinking it was a regular block. Apparently, the #1 mistook police officers for gate security. 

Australian golfer Cameron Percy wrote, “I have done what Scotty did many times. Traffic in front of course always a nightmare. Usually they see the courtesy car and let you through. Normally….” Michael S Kim is also of the same opinion, tweeting, “I assume Scottie thought there was a small issue causing some traffic, and with a courtesy car, cops usually let us go thru (through) ahead so we’re not caught up behind unnecessarily.”

Adam Hadwin‘s wife, too, chimed in. “There’s only one logical next step after this latest incident… Have you been wrongfully arrested and/or tackled while at your job as a professional golfer? You might be entitled to compensation,” wrote Jessica on her handle. Byeong Hun An opined it was an unfortunate confusion that led up to the arrest. “I’m sure the officers were having busy and stressful morning after the horrible incident. Scottie is trying to get to the course in a hurry. Everyone is trying to do their jobs.”

Only one person could’ve cracked a joke and gotten away with it. Kevin Kisner, who has garnered quite a reputation for his wit in the booth, quipped, “My opinion, the other 155 players put the cop up to this so they might be able to finally win one.” Scheffler has won four times in his last five appearances. The 27-year-old shot 4-under 67 at Valhalla, standing five shots off the leader, Xander Schauffele. 

Notably, Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open Champion, offered his two cents. “I’d imagine the police were on high alert with the fatality, assuming the timing was similar. Emotions would have been running high. Crazy stuff. If he shoots 65 today, just go ahead and give him the trophy.”

But Scottie Scheffler is ‘all good’ as he replied when Rickie Fowler asked him while world no. 1 was entering the practice range. While arriving at Valhalla, Marty Smith of ESPN asked for a comment. “Love you, Marty,” the reigning Masters champion replied. His new tee time was set to 10.08 AM. The second round was delayed due to the accident.

Despite such an eventful morning, Scottie Scheffler proved to everyone that he is a man with nerves of steel. It was as if Scheffler forgot about everything when he teed off on the Kentucky greens and put forth scintillating gameplay during the second round. It did not take the 10-time PGA Tour winner to card his first birdie on the first hole itself (at the par-5 10th hole). He went on to add five more birdies to his scorecard, finishing his round with an impressive score of 5-under-66.

At the end of the day, he is a human after all, and during the post-match interview, Scheffler shared how nerve-wracking the whole ordeal was for him but like a true sportsman, he did not let the incident affect his on-course performance. All the more reason as to why he deserves to be the World No. 1!