Charges against Scheffler dropped

Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, concluding a legal ordeal that began with the world’s top golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell requested a judge on Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to appear in court. The prosecutor stated that his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said during the brief hearing. “Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, expressed relief, stating that the golfer is “happy it’s over” and “obviously, he didn’t do anything wrong.”

Scheffler faced a felony charge for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The incident occurred on May 17 outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course, where Detective Bryan Gillis was directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.

During the hearing, O’Connell said the findings from his office’s review led him to request the dismissal of the charges.

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

Romines, when asked if he wanted to comment, 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 honor.”

The judge accepted the dismissal motion.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis claimed he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” him to the ground. Gillis reported that his uniform pants were damaged, and he was hospitalized for his injuries.

Surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. The footage, however, did not capture the initial contact between Gillis and Scheffler, according to authorities.

Gillis faced disciplinary action for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on the failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” to the golf course.

Scheffler explained that he misunderstood the commands from traffic officers.

The golfer spent a brief period in a jail cell before returning to the course for the second round of the tournament, where he finished tied for eighth place.

Romines noted that eyewitness accounts confirmed Gillis was not dragged by Scheffler’s car.

“The more evidence that comes out, the more it shows that Scottie was a victim here. And I think everybody sees something like this happen and realizes they’re one wrong turn … from going to jail themselves,” Romines said after the hearing.

While there were grounds for a civil lawsuit against the Louisville police department, Romines stated that Scheffler is not interested in pursuing litigation.

“Scottie Scheffler doesn’t want the taxpayers of Louisville to have to pay him a dime,” Romines concluded.