Charges against world’s best golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dropped, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be present in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case “thoroughly and quickly.”

“Based on the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in pursuing the charges against Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. Scheffler’s description that it was a “big misunderstanding” is supported by the evidence. »

Scheffler was charged with a felony for attacking a police officer with his vehicle, as well as three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was at the gate of Valhalla Golf Course on May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian was killed when he encountered Scheffler.

The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request that the charges against him be dismissed.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned about public safety at the scene when he made contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offense.”

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he would like to comment. Romines responded: “Judge, it took me a while to understand that when I win, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.

The judge then granted the motion to dismiss.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

Surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis chasing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and blocking him from entering the course. Scheffler is then removed from the car and handcuffed. But the video does not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.

Gillis was disciplined for not activating his body camera during the arrest. In a report on the failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler “demanded to be let in” on the golf course.

Scheffler said he simply misunderstood the orders coming from the traffic officers.

The famous golfer spent a brief stay in a prison cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He finished the tournament tied for eighth place.

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Associated Press writer Bruce Schreiner contributed to this report.