Photo Credit: Associated Press
All criminal charges have been dropped against professional golfer Scottie Scheffler stemming from his arrest at last week's PGA Championship tournament. Prosecutors cited lack of evidence after reviewing the controversial case that made national headlines.
Scheffler, the current world #1 ranked player, was arrested on May 25th during the second round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. He was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a confrontation with police officers.
However, the Monroe County District Attorney's office has now dismissed all charges, stating "a thorough review of all available video and witness statements shows there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction at trial."
Jay Mullen, Scheffler's attorney, praised the decision, saying "The prosecutors made the right call here based on the complete lack of evidence against Scottie. He committed no crime and was simply practicing his profession."
The incident occurred on the 7th hole during Scheffler's second round. According to the initial police report, officers approached Scheffler after receiving complaints that he was "causing a disturbance by yelling profanities and throwing golf clubs."
However, Scheffler and his caddie disputed that account, claiming the golfer was simply venting his frustration briefly after a bad shot, which is common on the professional tour. Video footage from broadcast cameras did not clearly capture the alleged misconduct.
In a statement, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said "We have always viewed this situation as a misunderstanding and an overreaction by law enforcement. Scottie is a model professional who represents the tour's values, and we're pleased to see this resolved justly."
The dismissal allows Scheffler to put the incident behind him as he prepares to defend his Masters championship next month. At a press conference, the 26-year-old thanked authorities for "revisiting the facts objectively" and his fans for their support.
"I will learn from this experience, but my focus remains on playing good golf and upholding the integrity of the game," Scheffler said. "I'm looking forward to getting back on the course for the U.S. Open under more positive circumstances."
While avoiding any criminal record, the arrest and charges still created negative publicity for Scheffler and drew criticism of the policing at the PGA Championship from some corners. The Tour said it would review its policies and communication protocols with host venues regarding player discipline issues.
For Scottie Scheffler, the energies can now return to his exceptional play and chase for another major title, free from the cloud of criminal charges that has been lifted from this controversial case.
