Free Bird
PGA Championship 2024: Scottie Scheffler reportedly had jokes for the Valhalla clubhouse following his arrest
Everyone take a minute and catch their breath. It’s been an unprecedented Friday morning at Valhalla Golf Club, where an employee for a PGA Championship vendor was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus and the top-ranked golfer in the world, Scottie Scheffler, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer when he failed to respond to instructions to stop while entering the course, reportedly dragging a police officer for 10 yards with his courtesy car.
Scheffler was booked, clad in an orange prison jumpsuit and had his mugshot taken. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get anymore surreal, Scheffler was released from custody and escorted back to golf course, allegedly by the owner of Valhalla himself in a scene eerily reminiscent of Rory McIlroy’s late arrival to Medinah at the 2012 Ryder Cup.
As the focus turned (somewhat) back to golf, the question became how Scheffler would respond to his ordeal as a professional athlete. Would he crumble under the stress and scrutiny or compartmentalize like many of the greats before him? The jury remains out (in more ways than one), but if Scheffler’s lighthearted jokes in the clubhouse after his arrest are any indication, the 2024 Masters champ was cool, calm, collected and ready to focus on the round ahead.
It’s the eggs for us. How Scheffler had an appetite following his stomach-churning morning is beyond us, but the fact he was able to choke down some protein and riff a bit with the boys is a good sign for his fans and bettors. Others may find his alleged quips a bit tasteless given the context, but while laughter may not be a viable legal defense, it still remains the best medicine.