Scheffler court date pushed back after arrest

Scottie Scheffler's court date has been delayed until 3 June following his arrest during the US PGA Championship at Valhalla last week.

The 27-year-old was arrested on Friday 17 May[1] after trying to drive into Valhalla Golf Club in heavy traffic and his arraignment date had been set for Tuesday, 21 May.

Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.

All charges, which Scheffler denies, still appear on the docket.

Play at the event was delayed by 80 minutes on Friday because of an accident near the course, which saw a pedestrian killed after being hit by a shuttle bus.

The accident caused heavy traffic, forcing some to abandon their cars on the motorway.

Scheffler, who was not involved in the accident, reportedly attempted to avoid the scene before being stopped by police.

The American was released in time for his second round[2] at the PGA Championship, with the world number one describing the incident as a "big misunderstanding".

"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."

Scheffler's lawyer Steve Romines said "multiple eyewitnesses confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed".

Videos of the scene outside the course in Louisville, Kentucky, showed Scheffler handcuffed and being guided into the back of a police car.

Police later published a report into the incident which said the officer who attempted to prevent Scheffler from entering the course in his car was dragged to the ground and suffered "pain, swelling and abrasions" to his left wrist and knee.

References

1. ^ arrested on Friday 17 May (www.bbc.co.uk)
2. ^ released in time for his second round (www.bbc.co.uk)