"Scottie Scheffler arrested for assaulting an officer near a fatal crash en route to the PGA Championship"

"Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was detained by police in Louisville on Friday morning while en route to the PGA Championship. Shocking images show him handcuffed and being led to a police car, charged with assault after allegedly attempting to drive around traffic backed up due to a pedestrian fatality investigation. Scheffler was released later that morning and continued to compete in the tournament."

"Police reported that Scheffler was booked on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. In a statement to CBS News, Scheffler's attorney, Steve Romines, asserted that the golfer 'never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle' and added, 'We will litigate this matter as needed.'"

"Masters champion Scottie Scheffler was detained by police in Louisville on Friday morning while en route to the PGA Championship. Dramatic images show him handcuffed and being led to a police car, charged with assault after allegedly attempting to bypass traffic backed up from a pedestrian fatality investigation. Scheffler was released later that morning and continued to compete in the tournament."

"Police reported that Scheffler was booked on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer. In a statement to CBS News, Scheffler's attorney, Steve Romines, stated that the golfer 'never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle' and added, 'We will litigate this matter as needed.'"

"In a statement posted on Instagram, Scheffler described the incident as a 'very chaotic situation.'"

"There was a big misunderstanding about what I thought I was being asked to do," Scheffler explained. "I never intended to disregard any instructions. I'm hopeful to move past this and focus on golf today."

"Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player, began the second round shortly after 10 a.m. EDT."

Police reported that a pedestrian was struck by a bus while crossing a lane designated for tournament traffic, resulting in the man's death at the scene, according to CBS affiliate WLKY. Traffic was backed up for about a mile in both directions on the sole road leading to Valhalla Golf Club, with dozens of police cars flashing red and blue lights near the entrance.

According to a police report, Scheffler was traveling in an eastbound lane when he pulled into the westbound lanes, where a uniformed detective was standing. The detective tried to give Scheffler instructions, but Scheffler "refused to comply and accelerated forward," the report states.

The detective, identified as Det. Gillis, was pulled "to the ground" and sustained "pain, swelling, and abrasions to his left wrist," as per the report.

The detective, wearing a high-visibility reflective jacket, halted Scheffler's vehicle to provide instructions, as noted in the arrest sheet. Gillis was subsequently transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

According to ESPN's Jeff Darlington, he witnessed the events unfold. He described how police pulled Scheffler out of the car, pressed him against the vehicle, and promptly placed him in handcuffs.

"Scheffler was then escorted to the police car, where he was seated in the back, still in handcuffs, appearing visibly shocked by the unfolding events," Darlington stated. "He looked towards me and uttered, 'Please help me.' It was evident he was confused about the situation. Everything unfolded swiftly, aggressively, and with great intensity."

Darlington stated that the entire incident began with a "misunderstanding regarding traffic flow."

The PGA of America did not provide an immediate comment.

The website for the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections briefly displayed a booking photo of Scheffler before it was taken down. According to the website, Scheffler was released at 8:40 a.m. and returned to the golf club.

The start of the second round has been postponed by 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In the dim morning light, vehicles lined up in a queue, while other PGA-marked vehicles attempted to inch their way towards the entrance. Traffic gradually began to move around shortly before 7 a.m.

It was an unreal beginning to what had already been a tumultuous week of weather — the Masters champion and world's top-ranked player, clad in workout attire, hands cuffed behind his back amidst flashing police lights.

Darlington mentioned that the police were uncertain of his identity. He recounted an officer instructing him to depart, and upon identifying himself as a member of the media, he was informed, "There's nothing you can do. He's being taken into custody."

Darlington mentioned that another police officer later approached him with a notepad and inquired whether he knew the name of the individual who had been handcuffed.

Scheffler has recently clinched four victories in his last five tournaments. He spent the last three weeks at home in Dallas, eagerly anticipating the birth of his first child, a son born on May 8th.

Scheffler began his round with a 4-under 67 and currently trails the lead by five shots, as he seeks to join the exclusive ranks of players who have won the first two majors of the year, a feat achieved by only four players since 1960.

Just last month, Scheffler secured his second Masters Tournament victory in three years, finishing at 11 under and four strokes ahead of his closest competitors.