Scottie Scheffler threw off the shackles and continued to fight for glory in the PGA Championship – just hours after his dramatic arrest on Friday morning.
The world number 1 was taken to prison on a series of charges – including an offense of assaulting a police officer – after being arrested by police outside the gates of Valhalla.
Scheffler was booked – wearing an orange jumpsuit – before driving back to Valhalla in time for his 10am start time. Somehow, despite all the turbulence, he made six birdies to finish at -9 and move up to third on the leaderboard.
The 27-year-old shot a 66 in the second round and made just one bogey along the way, putting him two shots ahead of leader Collin Morikawa heading into the weekend.
He left the course to great applause – fans gave high fives, including one wearing a T-shirt that read: ‘Free Scottie’.
Scottie Scheffler threw off the shackles to stay in the fight for glory in the PGA Championship
The 27-year-old shot a 66 in the second round, making just one bogey along the way
Scheffler was booked — wearing an orange jumpsuit — before driving back for his 10 a.m. start time
Afterwards, Scheffler explained how the “big misunderstanding” left him “rattling” and shaking in shock.
“Can you please help me?” a panicked Scheffler was heard asking as he was led to a police car. In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a Class C felony, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of ten years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday, however, Scheffler was back on the road, seeking more major glory. He opened with two birdies on the first three holes before taking another four shots at Valhalla.
Scheffler is accused of “refusing to comply” with police instructions after attempting to drive onto the course and drag a police officer to the ground.
The officer was taken to hospital after suffering pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.”
The American exchanged an orange jumpsuit for his Nike golf equipment in time for his round
Scheffler explained how the “big misunderstanding” “rocked” him and shook with shock
He made six birdies to finish at -9 and move into a tie for third place on the leaderboard
It is said that police tried to stop Scheffler, but he “accelerated forward.” That led to an officer attaching himself to Scheffler’s car. The world number 1 then drove around for another ten meters before stopping.
The officer then allegedly grabbed Scheffler in an attempt to pull him out of the car before Scheffler opened the door. He was then dragged out of the vehicle, pushed against it and placed in handcuffs.
The world number 1, 27, was later jailed and had a mugshot released through the Louisville Department of Corrections. He was charged with the following:
- Second-degree assault on a police officer
- Third-degree criminal mischief
- Ignoring traffic signals from an officer directing traffic