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How Scottie Scheffler performed during the second round of the PGA Championship following arrest

Scottie Scheffler entered the clubhouse tied for third place at the PGA Championship on Friday after being detained at Louisville, Kentucky, earlier in the day.

By Max Molski

May 17, 2024 07:52 PM

Masters champion and world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler scored a 5-under 66 at the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday after being arrested on his way to the tournament earlier in the day for not following police orders during the investigation of a pedestrian fatality.

Scheffler was detained by officers in the 7th hour of a.m. ET and released prior to the 9 a.m. and was in Valhalla Golf Club located in Louisville, Kentucky, at 9:12 a.m. He then began to warm up before beginning the second round with the 10:08 a.m. Tee time.

The world’s No. 1 golfer began his round on the 10th hole, and scored a birdie. He scored bogey and birdie in the following two holes. He also recorded five consecutive pars before closing the front nine with birdie on hole No. 18.

In the back nine, Scheffler made three birdies and was able to save par on the final hole to end the round with 5 under.

“I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell,” Scheffler told reporters on the podium following the second time.

After shooting 4 under in Thursday’s first round Scheffler was in the clubhouse in third place at 9-under. Collin Morikawa sat atop the leaderboard with an 11-under score after shooting 6-under on Friday.

Scheffler is a two-time major winner with victories at the Masters in 2022 and 2024. He’s just a little over one month removed from his last win in Augusta and has also had his very first baby along with wife this week.

Scottie Scheffler was taken into custody outside of the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday. (Louisville Metro Department of Corrections)

Scottie Scheffler arrest timeline

Police say a pedestrian has been hit by a bus shuttle while walking across the road in a lane specifically designed for tournament traffic. The victim, John Mills of Louisville was pronounced dead at the scene around 5:09 a.m.

Scheffler was headed to Valhalla just before the time of 6 a.m. when Scheffler drove by an officer of the police in an SUV that had indications on the door that it was an official PGA Championship vehicle, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. A police officer told Scheffler to stop and affixed his car to Scheffler’s after which the golfer drove 10 yards before stopping. Police dragged Scheffler from the car and then pushed him against the vehicle and then put him in handcuffs According to Darlington.

The investigation report prepared by the Louisville Metro Police Department said the officer who was identified as Detective Gillis, stopped Scheffler and tried to provide him with instructions following the golfer’s attempt at moving around traffic in the wake of the fatal crash. The report states that Scheffler “refused to comply” and was able to accelerate as he dragged the Detective Gillis down to his knees. Detective Gillis was taken to the hospital following experiencing “pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee” as well as his “uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair,” according to the report.

The court records indicate Scheffler was convicted of second-degree assault on police officers, third degree criminal misconduct reckless driving and disobeying signals given by an officer who was directing traffic.

“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” Scheffler stated in the statement that was released prior to his arrest. “It was quite a chaotic and stressful situation, which is understandable due to the tragic accident which had occurred earlier as well as a major confusion about what I was supposed to do. I had no intention of ignoring any of the guidelines. I’m hoping to put this issue to the side and concentrate on golfing today.

“Of course everyone participating in the tournament offer our sincere condolences on behalf of the families and friends of the player who died during the earlier accident this morning. This truly puts everything into the right perspective.”

After the round Scheffler stated, “my situation will be handled.”

Scheffler’s court date is the 9th hour of a.m. the next day, as per court documents.

“Our primary concern today remains with the family of John Mills, who lost his life in a tragic accident early this morning while reporting to work,” the PGA of America said in an announcement in a statement to NBC News. “As it relates to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler, we are fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place. While the legal process plays out, questions should be directed to Scheffler’s attorney or local authorities.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.