May 17, (THEWILL)- World number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, apologised for a “misunderstanding” that led to his detainment and handcuffing by police, just hours before teeing off and finishing one over par in the second round of the US PGA Championship on Friday.
The shocking incident unfolded near the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky, where the 27-year-old American faced charges including assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, and reckless driving. Eyewitness accounts suggest Scheffler attempted to bypass a traffic jam caused by a fatal accident, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement officials.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington described a chaotic scene where Scheffler disregarded a police officer’s instructions, resulting in him being forcibly removed from his car, handcuffed, and briefly detained. Despite the dramatic events, Scheffler managed to compose himself and participate in the tournament.
Upon teeing off at Valhalla Golf Club, Scheffler received a roar of support from spectators. Although he started with a birdie on the 10th hole, he finished the round one over par, likely reflecting the emotional toll of the incident.
The reigning Masters champion, who welcomed his first child last week, had taken a three-week break before the US PGA Championship. In a statement before his second round, he extended condolences to the family impacted by the earlier tragic accident and expressed hope to “put this to the side and focus on golf.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
