“We will litigate this matter as needed”: Scottie Scheffler’s attorney gives first statement after 2x Major winner’s arrest
Scottie Scheffler's lawyer has released an official statement regarding the two-time Major champion's arrest early Friday morning. Scheffler himself called the situation which landed him in a Louisville jail on May 17 a "misunderstanding", and that is a sentiment echoed by Steve Romines, his attorney.
Scheffler's lawyer said:
"In the early hours of the morning in advance of his tee time Scottie was going to the course to begin his pre round preparation. Due to the combination of event traffic and a traffic fatality in the area it was a very chaotic situation. He was proceeding as directed by another traffic officer and driving a marked player’s vehicle with credentials visible."
The statement continued:
"In the confusion, Scottie is alleged to have disregarded a different officer’s traffic signals resulting in these charges. Multiple eyewitnesses have confirmed that he did not do anything wrong but was simply proceeding as directed. He stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle. We will litigate this matter as needed and he will be completely exonerated."
Romines claims that they have eyewitnesses who can confirm that Scheffler did nothing wrong, and that he complied with what the officers told him to do. There is, in the eyes of the lawyer, no reason for Scheffler to have been detained ahead of the PGA Championship.
Both Scheffler and his lawyer cited the confusing traffic situation that resulted from an earlier crash that claimed the life of one individual. Things were tense and hectic from there, though Scheffler and his legal team refute the assault claims and plan to fight this and get the world number one exonerated. Scheffler is first due in court on May 21.
Scottie Scheffler calls May 17 arrest a 'misunderstanding'
Everyone in Scottie Scheffler's team, including the golfer himself, has stated that the arrest which shook the golf world early on May 17 was nothing more than a misunderstanding.
Given the circumstances, and perhaps some stress on the part of the top-ranked golfer during a big tournament directly following the birth of his first child, Scottie Scheffler believes there was a lot of chaos that led to this situation.
Via CNN, he said:
“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.”
He has successfully been able to focus on golf, at least. He shot four under par in the second round to pull to within four strokes of leader Collin Morikawa, whose seven-under score vaulted him past Xander Schauffele.