Prosecutors 'make charge decision on Scottie Scheffler' after dragging copper with his car

Scottie Scheffler is likely to escape punishment after his arrest at the PGA Championship. The current world No.1 spent time in a police cell ahead of the second round at Valhalla, for what he described as a "huge misundertanding" following a fatal incident.

Scheffler, 27, allegedly ignored police orders to pull over as he approached the scene of the accident on Friday morning. He reportedly drove forward for around 20 yards being told to stop, dragging an officer along with him in his car.

Kentucky detective Brian Gills was taken to hospital following the incident, with Scheffler booked into jail before being released in time to tee off just after 10am. The two-time Masters champion was left facing four criminal charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer.

In Kentucky, second-degree assault is a Class C felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a fine of up to £7,900. He was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Scheffler is set to have the charges against him dropped by prosecutors. Jefferson County prosecutors are reportedly content to close the case without further action, and will free Scheffler on Tuesday morning. 

Regardless, the ordeal for the American has overshadowed an otherwise gripping second major of 2024. Scheffler remarkably returned to the course and fired a 66, later telling journalists he had warmed up by stretching in his cell.

However, the strain appeared to take its toll on Saturday, with him only able to shoot a two-over 73. That leaves him seven under par heading into the final day, eight off leader Xander Schauffele.

During Saturday's action, supporters ironically wore 'free Scottie' t-shirts in support of the Ridgewood-born star. And speaking about the saga after returning to the course 24 hours earlier, Scheffler revealed officers treated him well after realising who he was.

"I was just in shock," he said. "And I think my body was just, I was shaking the whole time. I was shaking for an hour. It was definitely a new feeling for me. And he came out (the jail officer), we had a nice chat and then the the officers inside the jail were tremendous."