Scottie Scheffler Detained, Charged With Felony Assault Friday Morning

A pedestrian was killed early Friday morning in a shuttle bus accident and the world No. 1 was detained after trying to enter the golf course. Scheffler has been charged and released.

Scottie Scheffler was detained early Saturday morning by police in Louisville, Ky. / @JeffDarlington on X

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Scottie Scheffler has been released on his own recognizance after being arrested early Friday morning following a traffic incident outside of Valhalla Golf Club.

The No. 1 golfer in the world had been detained after defying police orders due to a traffic fatality near the course where the second round of the PGA Championship was to begin Friday. Scheffler was not involved in the incident, but was simply trying to get to the course. Because he attempted to enter while a police officer told him to stop, he was arrested and handcuffed.

He was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, which is a felony. He was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

The police report from the incident reads: "Detective Gillis was directing traffic into Gate 1 at Valhalla due to the road being closed in both directions from an earlier fatal collision. Listed subject was driving eastbound to gain access to the course. Subject pulled into the westbound lanes, where outbound traffic was flowing to avoid the backed up traffic. Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lanes in full LMPD uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket. Detective Gillis stopped subject and attempted to give instructors. Subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment by emergency medical personnel. Detective Gillis' uniform pants, valued at approximately $80 were damaged beyond repair."

The police report from Scheffler's arrest Friday morning. /

Scheffler also released the following statement. “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.

“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's mugshot now appears on the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections website.

Scheffler was charged with:
Second-degree assault of a police officer
Third-degree criminal mischief
Reckless driving
Disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic

He has been released on his own recognizance, per reports.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) May 17, 2024

ESPN TV reporter Jeff Darlington was on the scene and posted video of Scheffler's arrest.

Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

“The police officers around the patrol car had no idea he was Scottie Scheffler,’’ Darlington said on ESPN.

The man, identified as John Mills of Louisville, was trying to cross Shelbyville Road and outside the gate around 5 a.m. when he was struck by a bus in a dedicated bus lane. Local police said the man died at the scene and a heavy police presence remained around the area all morning.

Scheffler, the No. 1-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking, shot a 4-under-par 67 on Thursday afternoon and returned to the course about 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time, riding in with Valhalla co-owner Jimmy Kirchdorfer. He teed off on the 10th hole and birdied it, then made two more birdies and one bogey to shoot 2-under 34 on his first nine holes, trailing leader Xander Schauffele by three shots.

Marc Murphy, a former Jefferson County district attorney now teaching law at the University of Louisville, said:

"It looks suspiciously special—special treatment for a star athlete," Murphy told Sports Illustrated. "But I could make the argument that this is how it should always go. He's not a flight risk, so book him and say, 'Good luck on your round and we'll deal with this later.' "

Murphy noted that given some of Louisville's history with the police—particularly the Black community and the Breonna Taylor slaying—this could be a hot-button issue. 

"You have a large part of the community that will be quite correctly watching this case very closely."

Scheffler's arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m.