PGA Tour Rumors: Unproven Scottie Scheffler Felony Charge Pushes Louisville Police Department in Hot Water

In the early hours of Friday morning, Scottie Scheffler was detained while he was on the way to the PGA Championship. On the road near Valhalla, a fatal accident killed a man, and traffic was disrupted. Per reports, due to some misunderstanding, the 2024 Masters Champion was arrested by the police.

However, after nearly an hour of arrest, Scheffler was released from detainment and reached the Valhalla Golf Club on time to tee off for the second round. But he was not let go easy. The 27-year-old was charged with assault on a police officer, a misdemeanor, and a reckless driving violation. After Scottie Scheffler’s release, the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department’s officer, Bryan Gillis, who arrested the PGA Tour pro, has reportedly found himself in huge trouble.

The atypical arrest and release of the World No. 1 was the most-followed incident on Friday in Kentucky, and the LMPD was asked questions about it constantly. It seems that, subsequently, the police department will hold a press conference to steer away the doubts. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Kent McAllister reported, “Being told that Officer Bryan Gillis is expected to be placed on administrative leave tomorrow for his actions towards Scottie Scheffler this morning.”

Although Gillis would be on leave, the charges against the World No. 1 have not been dropped yet. Given all the attention this case is getting, legal expert David Barber, with 30 years of experience as an attorney in Kentucky, gave exclusive insight to Golf Digest on Scottie Scheffler’s debacle in Louisville with the LMPD. When asked how things played out with Scheffler were normal, Barber said, “One of the things I’m always going to look at is that this is a felony, and they released him quickly. That’s unusual.” The anomaly was the 27-year-old’s immediate release from jail.

Barber noted that despite the charges of felony and misdemeanor, Scheffler was released on time because the judge might have assessed the situation more calmly and would have seen the property damage that was reported—a pair of pants on Officer Bryan Gillis—and the injuries as scrapes and bruising. Piling onto the LMPD’s woes, the attorney added, “Just generally speaking, it’s not a great look for the police department in terms of civil liability to have released somebody on the spot who allegedly committed this assault in the second degree on a police officer.” He then posed a thought-provoking question.

“If he’s really this dangerous madman, why are you releasing him?” While it isn’t clear what exactly happened with Scottie Scheffler that led to his arrest, Barber feels the golfer may have been a little confused. Considering it was dark and raining, and there were flashing lights all around, Scheffler could’ve found it difficult to see or hear any instructions by Bryan Gillis. Per Barber, from the outside, it looked like, as the misunderstanding grew, the police officer cuffed Scheffler and “charged him with a felony because he had been cuffed.”

Considering the charges haven’t been dropped yet and will likely haunt Scheffler, the team he appointed to take charge of the matter has already started doing its part.

What has been the counteraction from Scottie Scheffler’s side?

Scottie Scheffler has hired Steve Romines, a veteran attorney with experience dealing with civil and criminal cases. With his team, Romines has moved forward to work out the best-case scenario for Scheffler. His former classmate, Barber, believed that Romines was the perfect choice in such a case and would help Scheffler better than even himself.

To do just that, as per reports, the legal team has moved forward with a countersuit against the officer and the PD. Kent McAllister shared that the source relayed that Scheffler’s legal team has filed for “wrongful imprisonment, harassment, and excessive use of force” against Gillis and LMPD.

The two parties will now meet in court. Golf Digest reported that Scheffler’s arraignment has been scheduled for May 21. There, it might be decided if the harsh felony charges can be dropped and if Scheffler would be given the plea deal, which looks more doable.

What will be the outcome of Scottie Scheffler’s case against the LMPD? Stay tuned to this space to find out.