Prosecutors dropped charges against Scottie Scheffler on Wednesday, less than two weeks after the world’s best golfer was caught. arrested outside the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell told a judge his office could not move forward with the charges based on the… proof in the case.
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and ignoring signals from officers directing traffic when he was arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, where the tournament was taking place.
Scheffler’s lawyer had denied that the golfer had attacked anyone. In a statement, Scheffler called the incident a “very chaotic situation” and a “major misunderstanding” and said he “never intended to ignore the instructions.”
O’Connell said Wednesday that the evidence confirmed Scheffler’s characterization of the incident as a misunderstanding between him and the detective who arrested him.
“Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not meet the elements of any criminal offense,” O’Connell said in court.
Scheffler was not present at Wednesday’s hearing.
Scheffler was driving to the golf course early on May 17 to get ready for the second round when he was caught in traffic as a result of a shuttle bus fatally striking a pedestrian, according to police. As Scheffler attempted to maneuver around the scene, police allege he refused to follow instructions and drove forward, dragging the detective to the ground.
The detective had not activated his body camera when the incident unfolded, which violated police procedures, officials said last week.
Video from a pole camera and a police dashcam showed Scheffler being led to a police car.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
