May 17 (Reuters) – World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested by police on Friday on his way to the Valhalla course in Louisville, Kentucky, where the PGA Championship, one of four tournaments, has been taking place since Thursday major events of the season.
He was then released and was able to begin his 2nd round of the PGA Championship at 4:08 p.m. (French time).
According to ESPN, the 27-year-old American was handcuffed because of his refusal to stop while driving his car, on the orders of a police officer who was regulating traffic near the course following a fatal accident.
Scottie Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, reckless driving and failure to obey traffic signals.
“There was a big misunderstanding,” commented Scottie Scheffler on his Instagram account. “It was never my intention to disregard instructions.”
“I think the officer directing traffic may not have been part of the event traffic team, and that’s where the communication problem arose,” Steve said Romines, a local attorney retained on behalf of the golfer.
“Obviously, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathy to the family of the man who died in the accident earlier this morning,” added the world number one.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that an employee of one of our suppliers was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club,” the PGA Championship said in a statement.
“We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Winner of his second Masters at Augusta last month, Scottie Scheffler was 12th at the end of the first day and began his second round five shots behind leader Xander Schauffele. (Written by Frank Pingue in Toronto, French version Vincent Daheron)
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