Scottie Scheffler’s arrest to be ‘reviewed’ after cop FAILED to turn on bodycam to film golf ace ‘dragging him with car’
THE dramatic arrest of World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler will be reviewed after a cop failed to turn on his bodycam.
The reigning Masters champ, 27, was detained after allegedly driving into a cop and dragging him to the floor at the US PGA Championship on May 17.
Scheffler was arrested after he allegedly hit a police officer after driving through an area where cops were dealing with a fatal crash.
He has been charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals.
He denies all the charges and called the incident a “big misunderstanding”.
However, Louisville police have now pledged to investigate and “appropriately address” any policy violations which are found to have arisen from the arrest.
It has also emerged that the arresting officer Bryan Gillis failed to activate his bodycam video before Scheffler was handcuffed and arrested – despite it being standard operating procedure.
In a statement, Louisville’s police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, said: “The internal investigation is still ongoing.
“Any policy violations that are revealed through the course of the investigation will be appropriately addressed according to LMPD’s disciplinary protocol.
“The department intends to provide an additional update on the investigation on Thursday, May 23, 2024.”
In his weekly news conference, Louisville’s Mayor Craig Greenberg stressed “action will be taken” if policies were not being followed.
He also drew attention to the missing bodycam footage from the initial contact between Officer Gillis and Scheffler.
“I still have questions about why it was not on during Mr Scheffler’s arrest,” he said.
The pro was due to appear in court on Tuesday but has had his arraignment date postponed until June 3.
His lawyer has already said he is prepared to go to trial if the charges are not dropped.
THE INCIDENT
Play at the Valhalla Golf Club had been postponed by 80 minutes last Friday due to an accident near the course which saw a pedestrian killed by a bus.
Scheffler was not involved in the crash but reportedly tried to avoid the scene before being stopped by cops.
Police later published a report stating that the officer who tried to prevent the golfer reaching the course was allegedly dragged to the ground and suffered “pain, swelling and abrasions”.
Following the incident, Scheffler wrote on Instagram: “There was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do.
“I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.”
Scheffler’s lawyer Steve Romines said “multiple eyewitnesses confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed”.
Viral footage showed the golfer being marched over to a police car before he was guided into the back seat and allegedly begged “please help”.
He appeared stony-faced, and sporting a bright orange prison uniform in a mugshot taken at Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections and released by cops on Friday afternoon.
The golfer returned to the course less than an hour before his fog-delayed tee time and finished his round joint eighth at 13-under par.
He said on Sunday: “I got arrested Friday morning and I showed up here and played a good round of golf, as well.”
Scheffler’s arrest came just weeks after he was crowned Masters Champion with his four-shot victory at Augusta National.
It was the second time the golfer has won The Masters in just three years, living up to his billing as pre-tournament favourite by claiming the Green Jacket.
Image of golf’s most clean-cut star in handcuffs will shock fans worldwide
THE images of Scottie Scheffler being hauled off to jail in handcuffs will shock the golfing world, because no-one has a more clean-cut image than the world No 1, writes David Facey.
Scheffler’s detainment for allegedly speeding past a police car on his way to tee off in round two of the USPGA Championship goes against everything the god-fearing family man stands for.
The fact that it has happened barely a week after his wife, Meredith, gave birth to their first child, Bennett, makes it even more shocking.
Scheffler and Ryder Cup team-mate Sam Burns organise a bible group attended by other PGA Tour players and caddies, and there has never been a whiff of scandal associated with the 27 year old.
Before returning to action at the USPGA – following a three week break to enjoy becoming a dad for the first time – Scheffler spoke about how blissfully happy his life was now.
He said: “At home it was a nice time to reflect a little bit on my career so far and where my life has gone.
“I married my high school sweetheart and I always wanted to play professional golf, and of course I’ve done that, and won two Masters and become world No 1.
“When I was at home I was sitting there with a newborn in my arms and the green jacket in the closet. It was a pretty special time I think.”
One moment of madness, or a mix-up, could see his world turned upside down.