(NewsNation) — A PGA Championship tournament already marred by the death of a worker received another jolt when the world’s No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, was arrested Friday before arriving for the second round of the tournament in what is being called a “chaotic scene.”
Bob Harig, a golf writer at Sports Illustrated, called Friday’s turn of events “unbelievable.” Scheffler was arrested by Louisville police after he pulled around the scene where a worker was killed after being struck by a shuttle bus while trying to cross a busy street.
Harig told “NewsNation Now” that Scheffler was in a marked vehicle that designated him as a player. Other players, caddies and tournament officials were allowed to proceed, and Scheffler believed he was in the clear to do the same, Harig said.
But after Scheffler proceeded after being told to stop by a police officer, an exchange between the golfer and officer took place, which led to Scheffler being detained by police. Harig said that at the time of the incident, Scheffler was unaware of why there was a traffic issue.
“It was a chaotic scene,” Harig said. “It’s a very, very unfortunate circumstance for all involved.”
The start of Friday’s second round was delayed by more than an hour due to the traffic chaos surrounding the early-morning access. But once he started, Scheffler birdied his first hole and then his third, continuing a strong start to the event.
“It’s obviously got to be hugely distracting,” Harig said. “(Scheffler) doesn’t seem to be the kind of person to want to cause this kind of problem.”
Harig said that fan interest in Scheffler’s play had grown after he entered the tournament having won four of his last five events. Scheffler, who won the 2024 Masters Tournament, was cheered very loudly after he arrived at the course Friday, Harig reported, adding some fans may not have been aware of the golfer’s arrest.
“He’s playing some of the greatest golf of anybody in recent memory,” Harig said.
Scheffler, who is expected to speak to reporters later Friday, has retained a local attorney, Harig said, and is likely to face criminal charges, including one felony. Harig expressed surprise that Scheffler was processed so quickly after his arrest and then released by police to continue the tournament.
“It’s not exactly something that all of us were thinking might happen today,” Harig said.