Scottie Scheffler struggles in first round of Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas by shooting 2-over after Louisville cops opted against reducing assault and reckless driving charges
Scottie Scheffler limped out of the gate on Thursday in the opening round of the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, shooting a 2-over 72 to move into a tie for 82nd.
It was his first opening round above par since the 2023 TOUR Championship last August.
Scheffler’s uncharacteristic fight came after Louisville police opted not to reduce charges against the PGA star over last week’s arrest before the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky. The world’s best golfer is accused of running over Detective Bryan Gillis, who claims he was knocked over and dragged down.
There was speculation that the charges would be dropped – or even reduced. Instead, officials vowed to “respect the legal process” and “let it play out,” with Scheffler set to be arraigned in court next month on the following charges: second-degree assault on a police officer, a misdemeanor, third-degree criminal mischief , reckless driving and ignoring traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
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.
On Thursday, Louisville police released footage of the moment Scheffler was arrested en route to the PGA Championship last week, but the video contradicts Gillis’ claims in the incident report.
The 27-year-old was accused of failing to stop for police as he tried to enter as they were directing traffic following a fatal collision between a bus and a member of the tournament’s security staff, John Mills.
Louisville police also released two separate videos from the morning in question, although neither shows Scheffler dragging Gillis to the ground, as alleged in a police report, or the initial interaction that led to his arrest.
Contrary to reports, the Louisville Metro Police Department announced that the four charges against Scheffler — including second-degree assault on a police officer — will not be dropped ahead of his June 3 arraignment.
The LMPD also released footage of the moment Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested, taken from two video cameras. There are no images of the first interaction between the golf star and the police.
One video came from a fixed camera on Shelbyville Road, while the second was recorded from a police car’s dashcam.
Pole camera footage shows Scheffler being stopped by a police officer who appears to have hit his car while trying to enter Valhalla, which apparently came after his interaction with Bryan Gillis – the detective he is accused of dragging away and to injure. ignore instructions to stop.
The two-time Masters champion is then seen leaving the vehicle and led away in handcuffs after the incident.
The dashcam footage, which lasts more than 55 minutes, does not show the moment that led to Scheffler’s arrest as other vehicles blocked the view, but at one point he is led away by police in handcuffs.
Any additional images or evidence will not be released until the legal proceedings have been completed.
The Louisville Police Department also announced that Gillis violated policy by failing to turn on his body camera during the arrest, as required by policy. He is said to have been given ‘corrective action’ for the offence.
In an LMPD Body Worn Camera Failure to Record Form, Gillis explained what would have been captured if he had turned on his body camera that morning.
“While traffic was being directed in front of Gate 1, PGA staff stopped a bus from Gate 1,” he said. “I saw a vehicle coming towards me in the opposite lanes.
‘I stopped the driver and told him he couldn’t go any further because of the bus: [Scheffler] asked to be let in and went forward against my instructions.
‘I was dragged/hit by the driver. I then arrested the driver.’
Louisville police said Scheffler was charged with four counts: second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disobeying signals from officers directing traffic.
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.
He was scheduled to be arraigned in a Louisville courtroom on Tuesday, but that appearance was rescheduled for June 3.
There was speculation that the charges would be dropped – or even reduced. Instead, however, officials vowed to “respect the legal process” and “let it play out.”
“We all want to move forward,” Mayor Greenberg said. “But we must respect the legal process. And that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to make that happen.’
After the brief press conference, when neither the mayor nor police answered questions from the media, Scheffler’s lawyer released a stinging statement.
“(This) doesn’t affect my case at all. Our position is the same as last Friday. “Scottie Scheffler has done nothing wrong, we are not interested in settling the case, we will try or it will be dismissed,” he said.
‘It’s very simple. All the evidence coming out continues to support what Scottie has been saying all along: this was a chaotic situation and a miscommunication and he did nothing wrong.
‘We are prepared to litigate this case if necessary. If that is not necessary, fine, but our position remains the same: it will be rejected or we will go to court… we will just let the process unfold.
He added: “My role is to represent Scottie Scheffler and I will continue to do so. Nothing has changed since my comment last week: he has done nothing wrong. We will appear in court, otherwise the case will be dismissed. We have no interest in settling the case, there are no discussions about that. We are prepared to litigate if necessary.
Romines was aware of the video, which was subsequently released Thursday. ‘I’ve seen everything there is to see. Everything beyond that supports exactly what Scottie has said from the beginning.”