• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

World’s Best Golfer Arrested Attempting to Enter PGA Championship

  • Scheffler was attempting to enter the tournament after a shuttle bus struck and killed a pedestrian.
  • The top-ranked golfer was booked and charged with four counts, including second-degree assault of a police officer and reckless driving.
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Scottie Scheffler, this year’s Masters champion and the No. 1–ranked golfer in the world, was arrested by police early Friday morning outside of Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, while trying to make his way to the second round of the PGA Championship.

A traffic jam resulted after a pedestrian was hit and killed by a tournament shuttle bus. ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington was on the scene when Scheffler attempted to drive past a police officer to enter the golf course. Scheffler was handcuffed and put into the back of a cop car. Darlington said the officers were not aware who Scheffler was, and they told the golfer he was going to jail.

Darlington later appeared on television and described the wild scene: A cop “attached himself” to Scheffler’s car and the golfer kept driving for “10 yards.” The officer then tried to pull Scheffler out of the car before Scheffler opened the door and was arrested. According to Darlington, the golf star asked the reporter for help before he was put in the back of the police car.

Scheffler was booked 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, according to a Louisville-area TV station.

The official police report says that the officer stopped Scheffler and attempted to give him instructions, but the golfer “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground.” It also stated that Gillis “suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.” The cop’s pants, which the report says were valued at $80, were also “damaged beyond repair.”

Louisville police published his mugshot online early Friday morning, and he was released shortly after his booking. He returned to the course, apparently driven by one of the club’s owners, and began warming up to play.

Scheffler’s lawyers denied the allegations.

“Multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed,” the lawyer, Steve Romines, said. “He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle.”

Shortly before his scheduled tee time Friday morning, Scheffler posted a statement on Instagram.

“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,” he wrote. “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, who sits in a tie for 12th place after a four-under-par 67 on Thursday, teed off at his scheduled time Friday morning 10:08 a.m. ET. All Round 2 starting times were delayed by one hour and 20 minutes due to the death outside the course Friday morning. Rain continues to pour in Louisville, but so far the PGA Championship has not been delayed because of weather.

This developing news story has been updated.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bethpage Black Joins Trend of Hosting Top Men’s, Women’s Tournaments

The 2028 Women’s PGA Championship will be there for the first time.

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Joe Burrow
September 15, 2025

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.