A big misunderstanding: Scottie Scheffler turns focus to US PGA after arrest

Scottie Scheffler has described his arrest on the way to the US PGA Championship in Valhalla on Friday morning as “a big misunderstanding” following “a very chaotic situation”.

Scheffler was arrested by Louisville Metro Police after trying to drive into the golf club in heavy traffic caused by an earlier, unrelated incident in which a pedestrian died after being struck by a shuttle bus.

The world number one faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scottie Scheffler's statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024

A mugshot of Scheffler was later released by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections, which showed he had been released after an hour and 12 minutes.

Tee times in the second round were delayed by 80 minutes due to the fatal incident, with tournament officials revealing that the person killed was a worker with one of the on-site vendors.

Shortly before Scheffler got his second round under way at 10.08am local time (3.08pm Irish time), a statement was issued on behalf of the Masters champion on social media.

“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers,” Scheffler said.

“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