The world’s number one ranked golfer has been arrested in Louisville after attempting to drive around a fatality accident outside Valhalla Golf Club, site of this weekend’s PGA Championship.
Scottie Scheffler, 27, was arrested early Friday morning by Louisville Metro Police and charged with 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 class C felony.
According to ESPN golf writer Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, Scheffler tried to drive around the crash scene on Shelbyville Road where a pedestrian was fatally struck by a shuttle bus taking patrons into Valhalla Golf Club. The accident occurred at approximately 5:00 Friday morning.
Darlington said an officer told Scheffler to stop, but he continued driving for about 20 yards toward the entrance to the golf course.
“At one point, an officer attached himself to the side of Sheffler’s car,” ESPN reports.
Scheffler then stopped his vehicle, and after about 30 seconds, rolled down his window to speak with the officer, who grabbed the suspect’s arm and tried to pull him out of the vehicle. The officer then reached inside the vehicle to try to unlock the door.
When police finally pulled him out, he tossed against a car and handcuffed. He was lodged in Louisville Metro Corrections.
Scheffler has won four of his last five tournaments, including the Masters Tournament last month.
He is currently tied for 12th place in the PGA Championship. Scheffler’s tee time is at 10:08 a.m.
He is from Ridgewood, New Jersey.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
