Date Set For Scottie Scheffler Court Hearing After Arrest

An arraignment hearing has been set for Tuesday 21 May at 9am following the incident that led to Scheffler's arrest outside Valhalla

Scottie Scheffler takes a shot at The PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler's arraignment hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Before the second round of the PGA Championship, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler was arrested when arriving at Valhalla, supposedly over a misunderstanding concerning traffic flow after an earlier accident.

However, he was later charged with “second-degree assault of a police office, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.”

At one point, it seemed doubtful as to whether Scheffler would be able to resume his bid for a third Major title, although he was returned to the course in good time to play his second round.

Despite the unexpected events at the start of the day, Scheffler, who shot a four-under 67 in the opening round, remains close to the top of the leaderboard as his attempt to follow his second win at The Masters in April with his maiden PGA Championship title remains very much on track.

If the American does lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday evening, though, his victory celebrations are likely to be short-lived as, according to court documents, his arraignment hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 9am.

Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship

Scheffler shot a four-under 67 in his opening round

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport added more on the possible next steps. He wrote on X: "Spoke to a Louisville defense attorney. Said a judge would've been made aware of the arrest this morning and set the bond.

"That they let Scheffler go means they felt very little risk he wouldn't show up when required. Also said it's odd to charge someone with a felony, make them change into jumpsuit, take a mugshot then let him go.

"The next step is the case goes to pretrial services. Legally authorities must interview/assess the defendant within 24 hours of the arrest. Then the prosecutor’s office either recommends to pursue or not pursue the charges."

Following his arrest, Scheffler released a statement that read: “This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.”

However, an arrest report disagrees with Scheffler’s interpretation of events, explaining that Detective Bryan Gillis had been directing traffic to the course when he stopped Scheffler in his car.

It then states he “attempted to give instructions,” but Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground.”

Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.