The 105th PGA Championship and the second major golf championship of the year is in chaos today as a pedestrian was killed by a shuttlebus in early morning darkness, and world number one golfer and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was arrested on a total of four felony and misdemeanor charges for failing to stop and obey police officers investigating the scene. Scheffler was trying to drive around the crash scene on a median, and a Louisville Metro police officer instructed Scheffler to stop, but Scheffler continued to drive about 10 to 20 yards toward the entrance.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington witnessed much of the event, releasing video on Twitter of both a shell-shocked Scheffler being led in handcuffs to a police car, while mouthing to the journalist, “Please help me,” and a different police officer ordering Darlington to stay back and that Scheffler, “is going to jail.” Darlington described the police officers as “very aggressive.”
Scheffler was slated to tee off at 10:08 EST. He fired a 4-under 67 after opening with an eagle 2 on his first hole of the day. Xander Schauffele leads after shooting a major championship record-tying 62. It’s the second time in four major championship starts that Schauffele has tied the record; he also shot 62 in the opening round of last year’s U.S. Open at L.A. Country Club’s North Course.
ESPN had the following report:
“Scheffler 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. The assault charge is a felony; the others are misdemeanors. Scheffler was released at 8:40 a.m. ET and headed to Valhalla. He arrived less than an hour before he was scheduled to tee off at 10:08 a.m. ET.
Scheffler’s attorney, Steven Romines, said it would be up to Scheffler whether he plays today in the second round.”
The PGA of America has only released a statement regarding the death of the pedestrian:
“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. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
UPDATE 10:05 AM EST
The PGA Tour has published a statement on Scottie Scheffler’s behalf following the extraordinary events of this morning.
The statement says: “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.”
Scheffler also said, “There was a big misunderstanding. He is at the course and preparing to tee off. Fellow PGA Tour star Ricky Fowler raded “fist bumps” with Scheffler inquiring about his mental state, trading a “You good?” for Scheffler’s “All good.”
This is a developing story. won’t this post round interview be interesting…
