Charges Dropped Against World’s Top Golfer Scottie Scheffler Following Arrest Near PGA Championship

The criminal charges against world-renowned golfer Scottie Scheffler have been dropped, concluding a legal episode that started with his arrest in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell requested a judge to dismiss the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to appear in court. O’Connell stated that evidence supported Scheffler’s claim of a misunderstanding with traffic police.

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot proceed with the prosecution of the charges against Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell announced in the brief hearing.

Scheffler addressed the incident in an Instagram post, describing his May 17 arrest as an “unfortunate misunderstanding” amid a “chaotic situation.” He expressed a desire to move past the event and extended respect towards police officers for their challenging work.

Initially, Scheffler faced a felony charge for allegedly assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arrest occurred near Valhalla Golf Course, where Detective Bryan Gillis was managing traffic following a pedestrian fatality. Videos of Scheffler being escorted in handcuffs quickly circulated online, accompanied by a mug shot from Louisville’s jail.

O’Connell noted that a comprehensive review of the evidence led to the dismissal of the charges. He explained that although Detective Gillis was acting out of concern for public safety, the interaction between Scheffler and Gillis did not constitute a criminal offense.

Scheffler was unaware of the pedestrian death, and other PGA-marked vehicles had been granted access without issue. However, when a passenger bus was directed to turn around, Gillis stopped Scheffler’s car to create space for the bus. Gillis reported that Scheffler accelerated and dragged him, resulting in his fall and subsequent injuries.

A surveillance video released last week showed Gillis stopping Scheffler’s vehicle and the golfer being pulled out and handcuffed. However, the initial interaction was not captured on video, and Gillis was later disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest.

Scheffler briefly spent time in jail before returning to the tournament, where he finished tied for eighth place. His attorney, Steve Romines, asserted that eyewitness accounts refuted the claim that Scheffler dragged the officer.

Romines suggested there were grounds for a civil lawsuit but noted Scheffler’s disinterest in pursuing legal action against Louisville police, emphasizing that Scheffler does not wish to burden the taxpayers.

The hearing also acknowledged the death of 69-year-old tournament volunteer John Mills. O’Connell expressed hope for more attention on Mills’ life, and Romines conveyed Scheffler’s condolences to Mills’ family, recognizing the invaluable contributions of volunteers like Mills to such events.