GOLF

Charges dropped against Scottie Scheffler in the Louisville traffic arrest

Anyone following the case from the beginning expected that sooner or later the world No.1 golfer would be “set free”

TIM HEITMAN | AFP

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Update: May 29th, 2024 13:40 EDT

Several sources had given hints on what was to come, as the Jefferson County prosecutor’s long overdue decision to drop the charges against Scottie Scheffler finally arrived. Today the attorney representing the Jefferson County’s prosecutors presented the judge with a motion to dismiss the charges against the World No. 1.

During a court hearing Wednesday, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell said prosecutors are not moving forward with a case stemming from Scottie Scheffler's May 17 arrest.

The charges have been dropped.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 29, 2024

Scheffler’s original charges

Charges against Scottie Scheffler

2nd Degree assault of Police officer
Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
Reckless driving
Disregard signals from officer directing traffic

The charges came after a misunderstanding about traffic instructions early morning on Friday, May 17 when Scheffler was on the way to Valhalla Golf Club to warm up for his second round at the 2024 PGA Championship. A fatal accident had occurred previously and police and PGA volunteers were working to direct traffic and organize entry into the course for players and fans.

Charges dropped

All charges against Scottie Scheffler will be dropped:

BREAKING: Prosecutor files motion to dismiss all criminal charges against golfer Scottie Scheffler. pic.twitter.com/r6K6OQjwgd
— Paul Miles (@PaulMiles840) May 29, 2024

2024 PGA Championship performance

The world of golf was shocked to learn that Scheffler had been handcuffed and taken into custody for the charges listed above and it was not initially clear if he would be released to allow him to make his tee time, which he did. Scheffler went on to shoot 5-under par on Friday, but the emotion and shock caught up with him on Saturday when he scored 2-over par. He went on to finish the major T8 at 13-under par.

Several videos backed Scheffler’s side of the story

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Despite no body cameras being worn by those involved, several videos emerged after the arrest that proved that Scheffler was not acting recklessly nor did he assault the police officer.

🚨👮‍♂️👀 #WATCH — PGA Tour superstar Scottie Scheffler talking to an officer after being arrested: “He didn’t say police get out of the car, he just hit me with his flashlight and yelled get out of the car..”

(Via: @AlexMyers3 | Maxwell Mitchell/FB)pic.twitter.com/Z7dbo4pvK2
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 29, 2024

Surprisingly, the city of Louisville did not drop the charges earlier considering these videos and the reputation of Scheffler as one of golf’s nicest players. Fortunately the police officer did not escalate the matter as things could have gotten worse for Scheffler, but it’s definitely a bad image for the city of Louisville and their police force.