Scottie Scheffler: What I did in Jail that helped my performance
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, found himself in an unexpected predicament outside the Valhalla Golf Club on Friday, yet still managed to deliver an impressive round of 66. The 27-year-old Masters champion was arrested prior to the second round of the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, following a fatal road accident near the iconic…
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, found himself in an unexpected predicament outside the Valhalla Golf Club on Friday, yet still managed to deliver an impressive round of 66. The 27-year-old Masters champion was arrested prior to the second round of the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, following a fatal road accident near the iconic course.
Heavy police presence surrounded the area after a bus accident resulted in a pedestrian’s death. Scheffler was reportedly trying to navigate around the accident scene but was detained after failing to comply with police orders to stop and exit his vehicle. Consequently, he was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals.
Despite the ordeal and an upcoming plea hearing, Scheffler managed to compose himself, shooting an impressive five-under 66 in the second round after his release from the Louisville Metropolitan Police. Speaking to reporters, he described the incident as a “big misunderstanding” and expressed gratitude for the kindness shown by the arresting officer, which helped him stay calm.
Scheffler recounted his surreal experience, admitting he was “pretty rattled” and in shock, but managed to focus on his routine even in the jail cell. “I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell. That was a first for me!” he said, adding that he tried to get his heart rate down in preparation for his round.
Remarkably, Scheffler birdied the first hole, and by the end of the day, he was at nine under, just three shots behind leader Xander Schauffele. Reflecting on the extraordinary day, Scheffler acknowledged the unique challenge but maintained a positive outlook on his performance. “As far as best rounds of my career, I would say it was pretty good,” he remarked, noting the unprecedented nature of his situation.
Scheffler’s ability to maintain his focus and perform under such unusual circumstances highlighted his resilience and determination, keeping him in strong contention for back-to-back major wins.