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Criminal charges against the world’s top golfer, Scottie Scheffler, have been dropped following his arrest during the PGA Championship in the US earlier this month.

Four charges, including striking a police officer with his car, were brought against Scheffler, 27, following an incident that happened only hours before he teed off on the second day of play at Louisville, Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Club.

His arrest took place after ‘an encounter’ with an officer who was redirecting traffic following a pedestrian death near the Valhalla Golf Club on 17 May.

Detective Bryan Gillis claimed Scheffler – who was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle – had “refused to comply” with a request to stop “and accelerated forward, dragging” him to the ground.

A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed the officer pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot. He then stopped him from entering the course, pulled him out of the car and handcuffed him.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr Scheffler.”

“However, Mr Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offences.”

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell requested that the judge dismiss the charges, stating that his team had conducted a “thorough and expeditious” assessment of the case.

“My office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler based upon the totality of the evidence,” he stated during the less than ten-minute hearing.

“Mr Scheffler’s characterisation that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler’s attorney Steve Romines was asked if he wanted to comment. He replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honour.”

Although Scheffler was not needed in the courtroom for the hearing, he expressed his approval of the ruling on his Instagram Story.

“As I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I hold no ill will toward Officer Gillis.

“I wish to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he will do the same. Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.”

The golfer also thanked fans for their support during the past two weeks and encouraged “everyone to remember the real tragedy of 17 May” before paying tribute to the pedestrian who lost their life.

Just hours after being booked by police and spending a brief period in a jail cell, Scheffler teed off his second round at Valhalla, where he was met with support from spectators who chanted his name.

Scheffler had been the favourite to win going into the tournament but finished in joint eighth place.

[source:skynews]