Scottie Scheffler police report: Officer who tried to stop golfer ‘transported to hospital’
On Friday morning, Scottie Scheffler, a prominent golfer, was arrested following an altercation with a police officer outside Valhalla Golf Club, just hours before his scheduled second-round tee time at the 2024 PGA Championship. The officer involved, identified as Detective Gillis, was hospitalized with injuries, including pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and…
On Friday morning, Scottie Scheffler, a prominent golfer, was arrested following an altercation with a police officer outside Valhalla Golf Club, just hours before his scheduled second-round tee time at the 2024 PGA Championship. The officer involved, identified as Detective Gillis, was hospitalized with injuries, including pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist and knee, according to the Louisville Police.
Scheffler faces several charges: second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic. These charges comprise two misdemeanors, one violation, and a felony for second-degree assault of a police officer.
The incident occurred when Detective Gillis, who was directing traffic into Gate 1 of Valhalla Golf Club due to a road closure from an earlier fatal collision, attempted to give Scheffler instructions. According to the police report, Scheffler did not comply and accelerated his vehicle, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Gillis was in full uniform, including a high-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket, and was positioned in the middle of the westbound lanes where outbound traffic was flowing.
Detective Gillis sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment. Additionally, his uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were damaged beyond repair.
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who first reported on Scheffler’s detainment, mentioned that a misunderstanding regarding traffic flow led to Scheffler’s attempt to drive past the officer. After stopping at the entrance to Valhalla, the officer allegedly screamed at Scheffler to exit the vehicle, subsequently shoving him against the car and placing him in handcuffs.
Steve Romines, Scheffler’s attorney, explained that Scheffler had been following instructions to enter the golf course using his media credential. Romines suggested that the miscommunication arose due to an unexpected change in traffic patterns following the earlier fatal collision and possibly because the officer directing traffic was not part of the event traffic detail.
Romines also asserted that there were eyewitnesses who claimed Scheffler did nothing wrong, emphasizing that Scheffler was simply unaware of the altered traffic situation. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.