Scottie Scheffler returns to play at PGA Championship after 'misunderstanding' leads to arrest

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 golfer, received a wild standing ovation and chants of "Free Scottie" after arriving at the 10th tee Friday morning to start his round in the wake of his bizarre arrest at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scheffler, 27, was handcuffed and detained by police early Friday after attempting to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club where he is playing in the PGA Championship, according to ESPN.

The incident appears to have been a misunderstanding about traffic patterns. At 5:09 a.m., a man was struck by a shuttle bus attempting to cross that road. The man, later identified as John Mills, was pronounced dead. Because of the accident, the road leading to the entrance to the golf club was closed.

Mills, from Louisville, worked for one of the vendors serving the tournament. He was struck on Shelbyville Road in a lane dedicated for buses. He was 69.

According to ESPN's Jeff Darlington, who was at the scene, Scheffler tried to drive into the golf course at 6:01 a.m. when an officer asked him to stop. When Scheffler continued driving, the officer started yelling obscenities at him, Darlington said. Then when Scheffler stopped and rolled his window down, the officer reached into his vehicle and grabbed his arm.

Scheffler was told by the officer to exit the car. When he got out, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs.

According to ESPN, Darlington was standing at the entrance to the course when Scheffler turned to him and asked, "Can you help?"

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An officer told Darlington to back away, Darlington said.

"You need to get out of the way," the officer told Darlington. "There's nothing you can do. He's going to jail."

Scheffler was booked by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections at 7:28 a.m. and released on his own recognizance at 8:40 a.m. Charges included second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler arrived at the course at 9:12 a.m., emerged from the clubhouse and toward the range about 20 minutes later. He released a statement to ESPN at 9:48 a.m.

"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 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.

"Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective."

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The PGA of America released a statement Friday afternoon saying its primary concern "remains with the family of John Mills."

The statement also addressed Scheffler's incident, saying "we are fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place."

Earlier, the organization released a statement saying it was "devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”

According to Golfweek, Scheffler has retained local legal representation and will face arraignment at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21.

On the walk to the range he passed hundreds of fans, receiving loud ovations and words of encouragement. Rickie Fowler walked up to him and gave him a fist bump.

According to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by Sports Illustrated reporter Pat Forde, Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, a felony, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving; and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler originally had an 8:38 a.m. tee time but the start of the second round has been delayed after the fatal accident. He's among the contenders after shooting 4-under in the first round. Scheffler got to 5-under on his first hole Friday sticking his second shot on the par-5 10th hole to 3 feet.

Scheffler arrived at Valhalla Monday five days after he and his wife, Meredith, became first-time parents. Bennett Scheffler was born Wednesday. Scheffler won his second Masters tournament in April.

Scheffler was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey but grew up in Texas and attended the University of Texas.

This is a developing story.

Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and golf writer for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Scottie Scheffler handcuffed, detained by police in Louisville