“I was just shocked”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On Friday morning, Scottie Scheffler lay in a jail cell, preparing for a round of golf he didn’t know he was going to play.

“I didn’t know what time it was. I didn’t know what was going on,” Scheffler said. “When I was sitting like in the holding cell, there was a TV and I could see myself on the TV.”

You said that Scheffler wasn’t particularly interesting as the No. 1 golfer in the world. They probably won’t do that again.

On a tragic day that will go down as one of the strangest in golf history, Scheffler showed up with a prison sandwich in his stomach and shot a cool 5-under-par 66 in the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship on Friday -Success that brought him victory to 9 under for the tournament.

Scheffler played to a huge, roaring gallery that chanted his name, shouted “Free Scottie” and made all sorts of references to law enforcement.

It was a bizarre drama following Scheffler’s surprise arrest on Friday just outside the Valhalla Golf Course following a terrible early morning tragedy.

John Mills, a tournament worker, was struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla early Friday as he arrived for work at the tournament.

“I don’t think it’s talked about enough – or at all,” said golfer Collin Morikawa, who shot a 65 to take the tournament lead at 11 under before 36-hole PGA Championship leader Xander Schauffele teed off in the afternoon.

Scheffler was charged in an incident with a Louisville police officer that occurred as he drove in to warm up for his round. In the citation report, Louisville police said Scheffler “refused to follow commands” and accelerated his vehicle, injuring an officer.

Scheffler declined to elaborate on the reasons that led to his arrest, saying only: “My situation is being clarified. “It was a chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding.”

The news came as a shock to other golfers in Valhalla because “I mean, Scottie’s not one to get in trouble,” said Brian Harman, who played in Scheffler’s group.

“When you see a mugshot of Scottie, it feels like it’s a joke or something,” Schauffele said. “I know Scottie pretty well. … I know he’s a solid guy. He has committed no ill will towards anyone.”

Other golfers reported problems accessing the course Friday morning. Walhalla only has one entrance and is located on a busy highway. The PGA told golfers that Friday’s second round would be delayed following Mills’ death, leading to a larger police presence at the entrance. Some players – like Scheffler – were already on their way to the pitch.

Austin Eckroat said he got out and walked the last mile and a half and asked his wife to drive the car to the club.

“It was a strange morning,” Eckroat said, “something I’ve never experienced before. It was a tragedy followed by a strange incident.”

“I mean, it’s dark. It’s raining. There are police lights everywhere,” said golfer Harris English. “It was very strange walking onto the course this morning. …We had no idea what was going on. I mean, that could have been any of us. We all walk the same path when we come to the club.”

Police handcuffed Scheffler, took him to jail, ejected him – and then released him in time to return to Walhalla for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He would make six birdies and only one bogey. A remarkable achievement given the circumstances.

“I feel like my head is still spinning,” Scheffler said. “… I definitely never imagined I would ever go to jail, and I certainly never thought I would go to jail the morning before one of my tee times.”

Scheffler opened his post-round press conference by offering his condolences to Mills’ family: “I can’t imagine what they’re going through.”

Regarding the arrest, Scheffler said: “I was never angry. “I was just shocked” and confused about what happened when he went to prison.

He said the officer who gave him a lift was “very friendly.” Scheffler said he even asked the officer at one point while waiting if he could “hang out with me for a few minutes so I can calm down?”

“I would almost say I was shaking with shock and fear,” Scheffler said. “Coming out here and trying to play today was definitely a challenge, but I tried my best to control my mind and my breathing and basically just come down so I can get out of here and try to golf.” play.

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