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Scottie Scheffler shoots 66 after warming up in a jail cell

Golfer Scottie Scheffler. Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated 5/17/24

Scottie Scheffler fired a 5-under 66 in the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club to put himself two shots back of the lead at 9 under par. That sentence alone isn't surprising for the No. 1 player in the world who's won four of his last five starts, but considering he warmed up for his round in a jail cell, it's downright incredible.

Scheffler started his day with a dark, rainy drive to Valhalla at around 6 a.m. local time. There was a ton of chaotic traffic blocking the golf course parking lot at the time because a PGA vendor was fatally struck by a shuttle bus in the area an hour before.

According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, who was there to witness the scene, Scheffler was attempting to circumvent the traffic to reach the parking lot when a police officer stepped in front to stop his vehicle. The police officer attached himself to the car as Scheffler drove another 10-20 yards. He stopped the car shortly after and exited the vehicle. That's when he was placed in handcuffs, arrested and detained in the back of a police cruiser.

Scottie Scheffler's mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024

The next thing he knew, Scheffler was posing for a mugshot and marking his fingerprints in a Louisville, Kentucky, police station. He faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

His attorney, Steven Romines, told CNN that Scheffler "did not do anything wrong" and will be pleading not guilty.

With his tee time quickly approaching, Scheffler decided to make some use of his free time and warm up in his holding cell.

"I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell, Scheffler told reporters after his second round at Valhalla. "That was a first for me.

"I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell, that was a first for me."

"I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell, that was a first for me."

Scottie Scheffler comments on his morning before the second round. pic.twitter.com/41HrVBKL5v
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) May 17, 2024

Eventually, Scheffler was released without bail and made it to the golf course about an hour before his scheduled tee time. He scarfed down a quick breakfast in the clubhouse, hit the range and the chipping area for a bit and sauntered over to the 10th hole for his second round.

Of course, being the competitor he is, Scheffler birdied his first hole of the day. He went on to make six birdies and just one bogey to shoot a 5-under 66, which is pretty remarkable considering he had bigger issues on his mind a few hours prior.

"I didn't stop shaking for a while," he admitted.

Considering how his day started, Scheffler's second round might be the most impressive of his career so far. And he's had a lot of them.

"It was pretty good. I definitely never imagined ever going to jail, and I definitely never imagined going to jail in the morning before one of my tee times," he told reporters. "I was grateful to be able to go out there and compete. It was a nice round of golf."

That understatement of the century.

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