Golf Notorious Bad boy responds to Scheffler arrest sums up golfer

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed had a memorable reaction to the news of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest ahead of day two of the 2024 PGA Championship.
Imagine being told before the start of the PGA Championship that Scottie Scheffler would hole-out with his first iron shot since becoming a father and, less than 24 hours later, be arrested, handcuffed, and charged with assaulting a police officer. It sounds unbelievable, but that is precisely the situation unfolding now. As more details emerge, the shock of the world’s number one golfer’s arrest continues to reverberate.

Understandably, Scheffler’s arrest was the main topic of conversation in the players’ locker room at Valhalla Golf Club before play resumed on Friday. ESPN reporter Marty Smith reported that golf’s notorious bad boy, Patrick Reed, had a priceless response when he heard about Scheffler’s run-in with the law. “Marty, it wasn’t me this time,” Reed allegedly quipped.

Reed’s reputation in the golf world is colorful, to say the least. He has been a magnet for controversy, facing numerous accusations of misconduct both on and off the course. During his college days, Reed was accused of cheating and stealing from his teammates, accusations he vehemently denies. His time on the PGA Tour has been similarly turbulent. In 2019, Reed was penalized two strokes at the Hero World Challenge after officials determined he improved his lie by moving sand with his club—a charge Reed and his wife, Justine, claimed was based on digitally altered footage. He was also involved in a contentious drop at Torrey Pines before winning the 2021 Farmers Insurance Open.

Reed is well aware of his reputation. Earlier in the week, he even laughed when a spectator at Valhalla Golf Club asked him to sign a copy of a golf rulebook.

Reed isn’t the only golfer commenting on Scheffler’s arrest. LIV Golf peer Ian Poulter took to social media to express his belief that Scheffler’s charges would be dropped. “So bizarre hearing the Scottie Scheffler Chaos this morning,” Poulter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This is crazy. We as players at multiple tournaments every year are told during traffic around the venue to put hazard lights on and proceed to the venue. This is as simple as a misunderstanding. And clearly all will be dropped. The End. Hope he goes and plays well now today.”

Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer. The reigning Masters champion has released a statement asserting that the incident was a big misunderstanding. His attorney, Steve Romines, stated that multiple witnesses confirmed Scheffler did nothing wrong and was following traffic directions as instructed. Scheffler is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday.