World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler teed off in the US PGA Championship just hours after being detained and handcuffed by police.
The 27-year-old reportedly tried to get around a traffic jam caused by a fatal accident near the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.
Court records show the 27-year-old was booked on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic, according to NBC News.
In a statement before his second round at the US PGA Championship, Scheffler said: “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. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.”
Play at the tournament was delayed early on Friday after a pedestrian was hit by a bus while crossing the road in a lane dedicated for tournament vehicles.
Scheffler added in his statement: “All of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything into perspective.”
Just hours after being booked by police, Scheffler was on the course at Valhalla at 10.10am to tee off his second round on the 10th hole – where he was met with a roar of support from spectators who chanted his name.
Scottie Scheffler tees off hours after being detained and handcuffed. Pic: AP
Scheffler started his day with a birdie on the 10th hole before a bogey – finishing one over par – on the 11th.
Another birdie on the 12th took him to five under par, four shots behind overnight leader Xander Schauffele.
The crowd willed Scheffler on and bellowed every time he played a strong shot, Sky Sports News reports.
The 27-year-old also received support from fellow golfers, with English pro Ian Poulter writing on Twitter: “This is as simple as a misunderstanding. And clearly all will be dropped. The End. Hope he goes and plays well now today.”
“What’s more concerning is the tragic loss of life at the PGA to a spectator hit by a bus,” he added. “Thoughts to the families affected by that news.”
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Scottie Scheffler was given a roar of support as he teed off in the second round. Pic: AP
Scottie Scheffler celebrates after a birdie on the 12th hole. Pic: AP
Austrian star Bernd Wiesberger wrote: “There must have been multiple unfortunate instances and misunderstandings leading to this. What a horror morning for the Tournament.”
Scheffler was reportedly attempting to drive past a police officer before being stopped and dragged out of the car at around 7.20am local time on Friday.
ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, said on air: “Traffic had been backed up and building.
“Scottie Scheffler tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club using a side median, at which point a police officer instructed him to stop.
“Scheffler attempted to continue to go, the police officer then attached himself to the side of Scheffler’s car.
“Scheffler stopped the vehicle as he turned into Valhalla Golf Club at the entrance, about 10 to 20 yards from the point at which the police officer first told him to stop.
“At that point the police officer instructed Scheffler to get out of the car.
“He rolled down the window, the police officer grabbed his arm and started pulling at it.
“He reached inside, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him up against the car, immediately placed him in handcuffs.”
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He added: “Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back, in handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked toward me as he was in those handcuffs and said, ‘Please help me’.
“He very clearly did not know what was happening in the situation. It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively.”
Darlington said an officer asked him to leave and when he identified himself being with the media, he was told, “There’s nothing you can do. He’s going to jail.”
He said another police officer later approached with a notepad and asked if he knew the name of the person they put in handcuffs.
Scheffler, who has won four of his last five events, is competing at Valhalla after three weeks off as he awaited the arrival of his first child.
His wife gave birth to son Bennett last week.