‘He’s going to jail’: Golf world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler arrested at PGA Championships

The golf world has been rocked after world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was handcuffed and charged by police before the second round of the PGA Championships.

Other players reportedly had to walk up to three miles to get to the course, having left cars with family members.

Scheffler did go to jail with the world No. 1’s mugshot showing he was officially booked by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Pat Forde reported Scheffler was charged with second degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

He also reported Scheffler had been “released on his own recognisance” and returned to the course just after 9am local time (11pm AEST).

Scheffler was scheduled for a 10.08am (12.08am AEST) tee time and confirmed he would play.

Local lawyer Steve Romines was hired on Scheffler’s behalf and told reporters the confusion came as the officer directing traffic didn’t appear to be part of the tournament traffic detail “and that’s where the miscommunication arose”.

He also revealed the assault charge was a felony, which can come with a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

In a statement on behalf Scheffler shared by the PGA, Scheffler shared his side of the drama.

“This morning I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” Scheffler began. “It was a very chaotic situation, understandably considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier and there was a big misunderstand of what I thought I was being asked to do.

“I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.

“I am 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 passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything into perspective.”

The PGA Tournament also released a statement regarding the man who lost his life before the event.

“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,” the statement read.

“This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”

Darlington earlier shared his first-hand experience of the entire ordeal.

“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witnessed a car pulling around us, Scottie Scheffler was in the car,” Darlington told ESPN’s Sportscentre.

“Let me be very clear about the details here: Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle, in handcuffs, after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security.

“(It) ended up being police officers, they told him to stop. When he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle.

“Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.

”The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs.

“Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’.

“He very clearly did not know what was happening in the situation.

“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes.

“The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”

Top-ranked new father Scottie Scheffler fired a 67 on Thursday, including a 167-yard, one-bounce eagle from the fairway on the first hole with a 9-iron.

Scheffler came into the PGA Championships after a three-week where his wife Meredith gave birth to their first child Bennett.

Before the break, Scheffler had won four of the last five tournament’s he’d entered, only losing at the Houston Open in a playoff.

Otherwise, he’s claimed Bay Hill, The Players, the Masters and the Heritage.