Scottie Scheffler earned a major backer in his ongoing trials and tribulations with Louisville police – PGA champion Xander Schauffele.
Schauffele spoke to CNN about his first major championship win at Valhalla last week while also addressing the incredible story that came out of the tournament.
A story so absurd it has eclipsed Xander’s own very much deserved attention. The Scottie Scheffler arrest.
Like many of us, Schauffele finds it hard to believe that the unassuming number 1 golfer in the world who has a pristine, clean-cut image, would have done anything maliciously warranting criminal charges.
“Scottie is a really good guy. I know him fairly well now – competing against him and sharing a physio table with him,” he said. “I know he’s a good dude and there is no mal intent meant by him.”
RELATED: Now The Police Involved In Scottie Scheffler’s Arrest Are Under Investigation
Xander Schauffele Hopes Scottie Scheffler Is Going To Be Okay
Schauffele went on to express concern for the pedestrian who was killed in the accident that caused the traffic incident. He also hoped that Scottie would come out of this ordeal positively.
“I just hope the family of the passed is okay,” he said. “And I hope Scottie is gonna be okay. He’s just not someone who should have criminal charges on his record.”
Scheffler was arrested trying to drive onto the premises at Valhalla Golf Course before the second round of the PGA Championship last weekend.
And Xander Schauffele is voicing what many seem to believe – the charges are overblown.
Scheffler has been charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals after trying to navigate around an officer directing traffic.
The first charge is a felony punishable by anywhere between 5 and 10 years in prison. An arraignment date has been set for June 3rd, at 9 AM.
RELATED: Police Chief Says Officer Involved In Arrest Of Scottie Scheffler Violated Policy
Scottie Took Some Ribbing From The Boys
Xander Schauffele sticking up for Scottie Scheffler comes just days after he playfully admitted he and some of the boys had teased him over the incident.
X revealed that some of the golfers had a group chat with Scottie and made some jokes about the arrest to ease the tension. He even said the group’s photo was changed to the now-infamous mugshot.
“(Scheffler) took it like a champ, and we have a group chat, with our physio, our crew. It’s me, Gary [Woodland], JT [Justin Thomas], Jordan [Spieth], Scottie, Pat [Cantlay] — we all share the same physio,” Schauffele said on Barstool’s “Pardon My Take.”
“He handled it really well,” Schauffele added. “In Scottie Scheffler fashion — he’s a good dude. As soon as I saw it, I thought it was a prank, and then I saw it on the news and was like: ‘Holy smokes, this actually happened!’”
Xander Schauffele confirms- Scottie Scheffler roasted in the group chat by the fellas pic.twitter.com/7RnncZDcBm
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) May 22, 2024
In the latest developments, a new witness emerged this week seemingly casting doubt on the officer’s claim that Scheffler dragged him to the ground. The officer was also cited for violating department policy.
As for Xander, he secured his first major title by outdueling competitors at the PGA Championship and finishing with a tournament record-low score of 21-under. Schauffele’s win came after a dramatic final round where he birdied the 18th hole to edge out Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke.
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