In one of the most eventful days in professional golf, Scottie Scheffler is arrested but makes his tee time and shoots five-under-par, whilst Xander Schauffele still holds the lead after the second round of the PGA Championship
On Wednesday when I said that with men's professional golf we "were watching the developing storylines of a new TV soap opera" and finished the article saying "in the next episode of men's professional golf [insert Eastenders exit music]", I could not even begin to foresee that it would take place two days later.
The second day of the PGA Championship started with an announcement that round two of the tournament would be delayed due to an accident near the course. Very sadly that accident proved to be fatal with an update coming from the PGA of America later in the morning:
"This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Just over an hour and a half after the accident, Scottie Scheffler was being led away in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic officers near Valhalla.
By 8:30 local time, the World Number one had been charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief in the third degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic. The charges include two misdemeanours, one violation and one felony (second-degree assault of a police officer).
A tragedy that turned into a meme
It was then a race against time to see whether he would make his delayed tee time of 10:13am. Arriving at Valhalla at just after 9:15am, a statement was then released via Scheffler's Instagram at 9:50am.
"This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.
"Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man that passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective."
Sixty-nine-year-old John Mills of Crestwood was killed as he was trying to cross Shelbyville Road near Valhalla Golf Club.
“This morning, our city experienced a tragic accident that took the life of John Mills, a Louisvillian who will be greatly missed by his family and our community,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a statement. “Our focus is on this family who lost their loved one. I have spoken with members of Mr. Mills’ family to convey our city’s condolences.”
Although Scheffler's arrest was not part of the original accident, it ultimately stemmed from a man's death. Watching my X timeline fill with memes and comments making light of Scheffler's situation really showed just how low some will go for likes and cemented my thoughts of the soap opera narrative surrounding men's professional golf.
Would Scottie Scheffler make his tee time?
Delayed play started as planned, as the rain fell and Scheffler did make his tee time. All eyes were on him and most wondered how he would perform. Quite unbelievably and probably down to his mental fortitude, the 27-year-old actually went one shot better than on Thursday with a five-under-par 66. Leaving him in a tie for fourth, three shots behind the leader.
"My situation will get handled. It was a chaotic situation and a big misunderstanding. I can't comment on any of the specifics of it, so I feel like y'all are going to be disappointed. It was just a big misunderstanding. If you've got any questions about the golf today, I'm happy to answer that, but outside of that, I can't get into what transpired, outside of my heart goes out to the family."
Talking about settling into his second round at the PGA Championship:
"It probably took a few holes to feel normal. Obviously, I didn't have my normal warmup and I usually stick to my routine. I'm a big routine guy, especially when it comes to my preparation. But it took a few holes to settle in. It was kind of nice just to be out there inside the ropes competing. It's one of my favorite things in the world to do, so I was fortunate to be able to come out here and do it again today."
Xander Schauffele holds the 36 hole lead
Scheffler will have taken most of the headlines but Xander Schauffele still holds the outright lead at 12-under-par after a second round 68, with four birdies and his first bogey of the Championship.
"When you haven't won a golf tournament in a few years, you have to be pretty resilient. I'm just patient and trying to play the best golf I can and stay out of my own way. I know I'm playing really good golf right now, and all I can do is focus on my process and my talk with Austin [caddie}, and that's about it."
Two-time Major Champion Collin Morikawa had one of the rounds of the day with a six-under-par 65. He's just one shot back from Schauffele.
"Just kept it in front of myself, and look, I've been putting great so far since Augusta, so it's nice to just kind of keep that trend going, and was able to hit a few good close shots, few wedge shots, take advantage of the short holes, the par-5s and for the most part didn't really make any big errors, other than the last hole, just that approach shot."
Sahith Theegala sits in third a further shot back at 10-under-par, whilst four players Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Mark Hubbard and Thomas Detry are nine-under-par. As for the remaining two of our big three predictions of the week, Brooks Koepka is lurking at eight-under-par, whilst Rory McIlroy is five-under-par.
Cut line at one-under-par
Darkness stopped play and there are still 17 players still to complete their rounds. The cut is most likely to fall at one-under-par, which is the lowest in PGA Championship history. Big names who have definitely missed the cut include Tiger Woods (+7) who had two triple bogeys and a bogey in his first four holes. Phil Mickleson (+4), Wyndham Clark (+4). Sungjae Im (+3), Sam Burns (+3) and Adam Scott (+3). Players on even par and likely to be out include Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg.
Round two will resume at 7:15am ET on Saturday morning, with Round three beginning at 9:00am to approximately 3:00pm in two balls from the first tee. View the full PGA Championship leaderboard here.
