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World No. 1 golfer and 2024 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler said he warmed up in a jail cell to prepare for the second round of the PGA Championship Friday (May 17) morning after shooting 5-under 66, which was tied for third at the time of publication.
“I feel like my head is still spinning," Scheffler said during his press conference after the round.. "I can’t really explain what happened. I did spend some time stretching in the jail cell.”
Scheffler, 27, was detained by Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections outside the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club. A Louisville Police Department arrest report accuses the recent two-time Masters champion of refusing "to comply and accelerated forward" while "dragging" a police officer "to the ground" and causing injuries."
"Detective Gillis was directing traffic into Gate 1 of the Valhalla Golf Course due to the road being closed in both directions from an earlier fatal collision," the police report states. "Listed subject was driving eastbound to gain access to the course. Subject pulled into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was flowing and to avoid backed up traffic.
"Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes, in full LMPD uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket. Detective Gillis stopped subject and attempted to give instructions. Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel.
"Detective Gillis' uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair."
Scheffler issued a statement to ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed and initially reported his arrest, before beginning his second round Friday morning.
“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," Scheffler said via ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed and initially reported his arrest. "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.”
Scheffler, 27, faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic, ESPN reports. The two-time Masters champion was reportedly attempting to drive around the scene where a man was struck and killed by a shuttle bus on a median at around 5:00 a.m. local time.
Police instructed Scheffler to stop, however, he reportedly continued driving for about 10 to 20 yards toward the entrance, Darlington had previously reported.
The man killed in the initial incident was attempting to cross Shelbyville Road outside Valhalla Golf Club when he was struck in a dedicated lane of buses and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police and first responders were still present at the scene at around 6:45 a.m. ET, at which point traffic was backed up on the roadway in dark and wet conditions as shuttle buses carrying fans to the course were stopped.
Scheffler is less than a month removed from winning his second Masters Tournament. Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig confirmed that Scheffler was expected to compete at the PGA Championship, the second major of the season, upon revealing the birth of his first child last Saturday (May 11).