Scottie Scheffler police report: Officer who attempted to stop golfer 'taken to hospital'

The officer involved in the incident with Scottie Scheffler Friday morning outside the entrance to Valhalla Golf Club was hospitalized with “pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee,” according to Louisville police.

Scheffler was arrested after an incident with an officer just hours before he teeed off in the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship. He was not involved in a separate traffic accident outside of Valhalla that resulted in the death of an employee of one of the tournament vendors.

Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault, third-degree criminal trespass, reckless driving and failure to obey traffic trooper signals. The charges include two misdemeanors, a violation and a felony (second-degree assault on a police officer).

According to the police report, the officer attempted to give Scheffler instructions, but Scheffler disobeyed and accelerated forward, knocking the officer to the ground.

From Scottie Scheffler’s police report: Arresting officer Bryan Gillis says Scheffler disobeyed his commands and then dragged him to the ground with his car, injuring the officer and his clothing. pic.twitter.com/oh5eOT0ZuY

– Michael Eaves (@michaeleaves) May 17, 2024

“Detective Gillis directed traffic into Gate 1 of Valhalla Golf Course as the road was closed in both directions due to a previous fatal collision to ensure traffic was flowing and to avoid congestion.

“Detective Gillis was in the middle of the westbound lane wearing full LMPD uniform and a high-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket. Detective Gillis stopped the subject and attempted to give instructions. The subject refused to comply and accelerated forward, knocking Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee. He was transported by emergency personnel for further medical treatment.

“Detective Gillis’ uniform pants, valued at approximately $80, were damaged beyond repair.”

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who broke the news of Scheffler’s arrest, previously reported that “a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The officer attempted to tie himself to Scheffler’s car, and.” Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla and yelled at Scheffler to get out of the car. He immediately shoved him into handcuffs and held him in the back seat of a police car.”

BREAKING: The world’s No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, was held in handcuffs by police after a traffic misunderstanding led to him attempting to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer tried to attach himself to Scheffler’s car…

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024

Steve Romines, an attorney representing Scheffler, told reporters that Scheffler demonstrated his media savvy and entered the golf course as players had been told to do.

“Apparently there had been a traffic accident or maybe even a death on the road and that had changed traffic patterns and he wasn’t aware of it,” Romines said. “I think the officer directing traffic may not have been part of the event’s traffic unit and that’s why the miscommunication occurred and that’s why we’re here.”

Shortly before his scheduled second round at 10:08 a.m. ET, Scheffler released a statement regarding the incident.

“This morning I acted as instructed by the police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably given the tragic accident that had occurred previously, and there was a huge misunderstanding about what I believed I was being asked to do. I never did.” I hope I can put this aside and focus on golf today.

“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in the earlier accident this morning. That really puts everything into perspective.”

Scheffler began his round with a birdie putt to get within four shots of leader Xander Schauffele.