Scottie Scheffler isn’t perfect, and he knows it. Just 19 days after his shocking arrest outside the gates of the PGA Championship, the world’s top-ranked male golfer is still grappling with how he ended up handcuffed in the back of a police cruiser, leading to a jail booking on multiple charges, including assault of a police officer.
Scheffler, speaking at the Memorial Tournament on Tuesday, reflected on the incident for the first time since the events unfolded during PGA Championship week. “I think that’s part of the recovery process from the whole scenario, is your brain tries to figure out how this happened,” Scheffler said. “I will probably never figure out why or how this happened.”
Even weeks later, that gloomy Friday morning feels surreal to Scheffler: the shackles, the plea for help as he was led to a police car, the jail-cell stretching routine, and the return to Valhalla, where he impressively carded a second-round four-under 66 despite the looming felony charge. How did this happen? The arresting officer alleged that Scheffler, trying to enter the property in a PGA Championship courtesy vehicle, had “refused to comply” with instructions and “accelerated forward, dragging (him) to the ground.” Scheffler called the situation a “big misunderstanding.”
The video evidence was inconclusive since the officer did not activate his body cam. Despite the prosecution launching an investigation and Scheffler’s legal team preparing for battle, the charges were eventually dismissed. Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell informed a judge there was no ground to prosecute based on the evidence reviewed. Scheffler, knowing ahead that the charges would be dismissed, headed to Fort Worth, Texas, for the Charles Schwab Challenge. He sensed the direction things were headed and his attorney, Steve Romines, reassured him using a golf metaphor, “From a one-foot putt to on the lip.”
Though he wasn’t at his sharpest that week at Colonial, Scheffler managed a runner-up finish, five strokes behind Davis Riley. Afterward, he returned to Dallas for some rest, or as much rest as possible with a newborn at home. Amid his legal drama, it’s easy to forget that Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, welcomed their first child, Bennett, on May 8. “Getting a little bit of sleep, not too much,” Scheffler mentioned.
Scheffler found his off-week practice interrupted by heavy rain, but another task loomed: processing the recent events. “When the charges are dropped, that’s kind of only the beginning of getting past it,” Scheffler remarked. “It was definitely a relief, but not total relief because that’s something that will always stick with me. That mug shot, I’m sure, is not going anywhere anytime soon.” The arrest was traumatic for him, and when asked if he considered suing the Louisville Metro Police Department, Scheffler declined. He didn’t want the taxpayers to foot the bill for the police department’s errors.
Scheffler also dealt with another recent tragedy: the death of fellow golfer Grayson Murray. Murray, who battled addiction, took his own life on May 26. Scheffler and others memorialized Murray at Muirfield Village’s 1st tee, with nearly the entire field attending. Scheffler spoke of Murray’s “sweet” nature and his struggles, wishing he could have done more to help. As he spoke, Scheffler retreated to his wife and wept. Later, when asked about his improved putting, Scheffler was candid. “To be honest with you, I did not really think about that much. We’ve had a good amount of stuff going on off the course. Competing inside the ropes is a great joy for all of us, but life outside the ropes can be challenging.”
Scottie Scheffler’s arrest and the subsequent legal journey have left him deeply affected, both mentally and emotionally. As he continues to navigate his recovery process, it’s evident that the experience will stay with him for a long time. Through it all, he remains focused on his family and career, proving that even in times of personal turmoil, resilience can shine through.
