Extraordinary footage shows world number one Scottie Scheffler being detained in handcuffs by police outside the gates of Valhalla ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. Witnesses said there was a misunderstanding between police and Scheffler over a traffic jam and he was removed from the race car.
Friday’s departure time at Valhalla has been delayed by an hour and 20 minutes due to an early morning accident near the course that killed a pedestrian.
Scheffler’s original time was for 8.48am, which meant he headed to Valhalla for a warm-up mission while it was still dark. It has not yet been confirmed whether the Masters champion and PGA Championship favorite will be released by police in time to play the second round.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, said on the live broadcast: “Traffic was backed up and construction was underway as Scottie Scheffler tried to enter Valha via the side median. Valhalla Golf Club, when an officer directed him to stop and Scheffler tried to continue walking, and the officer then placed himself against the side of Scheffler’s vehicle.
“Scheffler stopped his vehicle as he entered the entrance to Valhalla Golf Club, approximately 10 to 20 yards from where police first told him to park. At this point, the officer directed Scheffler to exit the vehicle. He shook his vehicle He reached into the car, opened the door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him into the car and immediately handcuffed him.
LMPD earlier released a statement regarding the traffic accident. “This morning at approximately 5 a.m., LMPD responded to a call of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and a bus,” the statement read. “Our initial investigation revealed that an adult male pedestrian was crossing Shelby from south to north. Vail Road when he was struck by a shuttle bus traveling eastbound in the bus-only center lane.
“As a result, the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The LMPD Traffic Division is investigating.
Darlington also posted a video on his X (formerly Twitter) account in which Scheffler appears to turn to reporters and say, “Can you help me?” There’s nothing you can do about it.” Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, Scheffler was led by law enforcement into a waiting car.
