Scottie Scheffler Speaks Out After Detainment

Golf star Scottie Scheffler has broken his silence just hours after he was arrested for second-degree assault of a police officer.

Th world's top-ranked player said the incident leading to his arrest was a "big misunderstanding" after police handcuffed him for failing to follow directions as he attempted to enter the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, to compete in round two of the PGA Championship.

The Context

Scheffler was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly driving through a police cordon at the site of a fatal car accident outside the Valhalla Golf Club. The accident was not related to Scheffler and left one man dead.

Police yelled at him to step out of his vehicle before slamming him against a police car and handcuffing him. He was taken to a police station and charged with second-degree assault, criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding police signals. He was released on bail, but no court date has been set.

The world's top golfer took to his Instagram stories to describe the incident as a "a very chaotic situation" and to send condolences to the family of the man who lost his life in the accident.

What we know

The Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections held Scheffler for one hour and 12 minutes, and publicly released his mugshot.

He headed back to the golf course and made his delayed 10:08 a.m tee time on the second day of the tournament, but not before he shared his version of events.

"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. "I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today."

He concluded: "Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man."

The man worked at Valhalla, as confirmed by the PGA Championship on social media.

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

A police officer identified as Detective Gillis was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident with Scheffler.

The arrest report detailed how Gillis was was dragged "to the ground" and suffered "pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist" after a car had "accelerated forward," per the Associated Press.

Gillis was wearing a high visibility reflective jacket when he stopped Scheffler's car to give instructions.

Views

Golf fans reacted to Scheffler's arrest and subsequent statement.

"Imagine arresting Scottie Scheffler, as he's arriving at the PGA championship, over a misunderstanding of the flow of traffic. Police just can't help themselves," wrote @Freedom_Memes_.

"Dragged a cop 10 yards - but that's okay, it's just a misunderstanding," said @Ipryde11.

"Aww. come on! this is not a misunderstanding this is how privilege works. he said to himself i don't have to do what the common folk do i know who i am and he was asked at least TWICE to stop so he made his own rules🤷🏼‍♂️really weird all the tweeters supporting him here really weird," commented @SaltyDawg067.

And @front9back911 wrote: "I think he thought he was complying. That's the misunderstanding."

What's next

Scheffler's "chaotic" morning and his arrest does not seem to have affected his performance at Valhalla on Friday as he hit a whopping 40-footer on the 12th hole to get to -5.