PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

What has Scottie Scheffler been charged with? The world No. 1 golfer tees it up after arrest

The world number one was detained by police during the PGA Championship.

MICHAEL REAVES | AFP

Born in Leeds, Joe finished his Spanish degree in 2018 before becoming an English teacher to football (soccer) players and managers, as well as collaborating with various football media outlets in English and Spanish. He joined AS in 2022 and covers both the men’s and women’s game across Europe and beyond.

Update: May 17th, 2024 10:21 EDT

World number one golf player Scottie Scheffler was dramatically arrested by the police during the PGA Championship on Friday.

Scheffler was reportedly shouted at by police before being shoved against his car and placed in handcuffs when he was taken away. Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections confirmed Scheffler’s arrest on their website alongside a photo of him in a prison jumpsuit; he was arrested at 7.28am ET.

Scottie Scheffler's mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024

What has Scottie Scheffler been charged with?

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scheffler was arrested “after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club”. A spokesperson for the PGA of America simply said that they would give “no official comment at this time. We will provide updates as they come.”

Soon after his arrest, the charges were revealed:

Scottie Scheffler charges:

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

Will he be able to play today after being arrested?

Reports from ESPN suggest that the number one has been released although at the time of writing he is not present on the course. “Scheffler could arrive on-site @PGAChampionship before 9AM ET, has been released on his own recognizance. Appears he’s now a go to try and play RD 2, will continue to update as more information becomes available”, wrote TV host George Savaricas.

Soon after this tweet, footage of Scheffler returning to the course was captured, and it seems that the number one is set to tee off in round two.

It appears as though Scottie Scheffler is set to play his second round at the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/GLIrs145sB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024

🚨#NEW: Scottie Scheffler has been charged with the following per new records (via @sam_rock_stone)

- 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
- Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
- Reckless driving
- Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/piXChAKQvC
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 17, 2024

Updated tee times for PGA Round 2

GOLF

Fatal accident delays 2nd round play at PGA Championship

In other news from the course, play was stopped after what was reported as a “fatal incident” occurred.

Statement from Scottie Scheffler to me: “This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. 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…
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

In a statement from the PGA Championship, the organisation explained that “Play of Round 2 will begin at 8:35 AM. All Round 2 Starting Times are delayed 1 hour and 20 minutes from the originally published time. All spectator gates will open at 8:00 AM.”