Scottie Scheffler was detained by police near Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship.
In a separate incident, play was delayed due to a fatal crash near the course on Friday, and Scheffler is believed to have been trying to avoid the scene of the incident when he was stopped by police.
In a video posted to social media by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, after Scheffler is handcuffed, a police officer says, “He’s going to jail now. There’s nothing you can do about it.” I can hear it.
Darlington, who was watching the incident unfold, saw Scheffler being handcuffed after a “misunderstanding” about traffic flow.
“Traffic was decreasing and increasing,” Darlington said in an interview.
“Scottie Scheffler attempted to use the side divider to enter Valhalla Golf Club, at which point a police officer ordered him to stop.
“Scheffler attempted to continue driving, but the officer pinned himself to the side of Scheffler’s vehicle.
“As Mr. Scheffler turned into Valhalla Golf Club, he stopped his vehicle at the entrance approximately 10 to 20 yards from where the officer first instructed him to stop.
“He reached inside the car, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out of the car, pinned him against the car, and immediately handcuffed him.”
Scheffler shot a 4-under 67 in the first round to put him five behind leader Xander Schauffele and was scheduled to tee off at 1:48 p.m. (Japan time).
The world No. 1 has already won the 2024 Masters and The Players Championship and became a father last week, welcoming son Bennett with wife Meredith.
The first group was scheduled to depart at 12:15pm (BST), but the start time will now be postponed until 1:45pm (BST), meaning Schaeffler will leave at 3:08pm (BST). You must arrive at the course by.
Friday’s play is also expected to be suspended due to inclement weather.
A spokesperson for the PGA of America said, “We have no official comment at this time. We will provide updated information as it becomes available.”