Planet Golf News for Saturday, May 18, 2024

Xander Schauffele Leads Stacked Leaderboard As Round Two Suspended Due To Darkness, Scottie Scheffler Arrested And Charged With Police Officer Assault Amid 'Big Misunderstanding' Prior To PGA Championship Second Round

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PGN News Team
May 18, 2024 • Reading Time: 21 minutes

Saturday, May 18, 2024

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Chaos at the PGA Championship

[ THE LEADERBOARD ]

Today’s Top Golf News in Two Minutes

Good Morning,

The golf world was shaken by an unexpected and bizarre series of events at the PGA Championship Friday. The top story was undoubtedly the arrest of world number one Scottie Scheffler. His day began in the most unlikely of places—a jail cell—after being arrested for allegedly driving past a police roadblock at Valhalla Golf Club. The roadblock was set up following a tragic accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian near the course. Scheffler faced charges including assault and reckless driving but was released in time to shoot a remarkable 6-under 66, tying for fourth place despite the chaos.

The arrest of Scheffler, described as a "chaotic situation," overshadowed much of the day's play. It wasn't just the arrest that made headlines, but also how Scheffler managed to maintain his composure and perform at an elite level, demonstrating an unshakeable focus. His attorney insisted it was a misunderstanding, as Scheffler had received conflicting instructions from police and event officials. The fans at the tournament rallied around him, chanting "Free Scottie" and even donning T-shirts with the slogan.

Meanwhile, the tournament itself faced significant disruptions. The fatal accident that led to Scheffler’s arrest also delayed the start of the second round by over an hour. Players like Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young were seen walking to the course amidst the chaos, underscoring the surreal nature of the day.

Despite these interruptions, the competition remained fierce. Xander Schauffele emerged as the leader, shooting a stellar 12-under par, with Collin Morikawa hot on his heels at 11-under. Schauffele’s strong performance, including a record-breaking opening round of 62, placed him just ahead of other top contenders like Sahith Theegala and Bryson DeChambeau. Tiger Woods, however, struggled significantly and missed the cut after a rough second round, marking yet another setback in his storied career.

In another part of the golf world, the LPGA’s Mizuho Americas Open was also marked by dramatic developments. Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul delivered a bogey-free 65 to take the lead, while multiple players withdrew due to a mystery illness, raising health concerns at the event. The LPGA is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring the well-being of the players as the tournament progresses.

Amidst these high-stakes competitions, lighter moments and unique occurrences also captured attention. Fans quickly embraced the #FreeScottie movement, and John Daly, known for his eccentricities, reportedly consumed a notable number of cigarettes, Snickers bars, and Cokes during his round before withdrawing due to a thumb injury.

The AdventHealth Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour saw Alistair Docherty take the lead, and in a historic moment for the PGA TOUR Americas, Harry Hillier carded the first sub-60 round with a stunning 13-under 59.

Overall, it was a day of remarkable performances, unforeseen disruptions, and unforgettable moments in the golf world, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of these tournaments.

[ Today’s Top Stories ] 

Star golfer Scottie Scheffler arrested prior to start of PGA Championship's 2nd round

Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 golfer in the world, was arrested for allegedly driving past a police roadblock at the Valhalla Golf Club. The arrest came after a deadly accident near the golf course. Scheffler was released from jail and returned to the course, shooting a 6-under 66. He now faces charges of assault, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals. The PGA of America is cooperating with local authorities, and the start of the PGA Championship's second round was delayed due to the accident.

Inside the most bizarre day in major golf with the arrest of Scottie Scheffler

The arrest of Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship created a bizarre day in major golf history. Scheffler, the world's top male player, was arrested and booked into a local jail before being released in time to tee off. The incident occurred after a fatal accident involving a shuttle bus outside the Valhalla Golf Club. Scheffler faced charges of assault, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals. Despite the chaos, Scheffler shot a 66 and remained in contention for the championship.

PGA Championship: Will Zalatoris says group of players considered asking for postponement after death, Scottie Scheffler arrest

During the second round of the PGA Championship, the arrest of Scottie Scheffler and the death of a pedestrian led to a discussion among players about whether to postpone the tournament. Will Zalatoris, a friend of Scheffler, revealed that a group of players considered approaching the PGA about a postponement. The players also discussed the idea of delaying the round to address the fatality and traffic issues. Despite the unsettling events, Scheffler managed to shoot a 5-under 66 and is currently tied for fourth place.

Free enterprise (and #freescottie) alive and well as Scottie Scheffler T-shirts take off at PGA Championship

At the PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler's detainment by police sparked a trend of #FreeScottie, with fans creating and selling T-shirts in support. The crowd showed overwhelming support for Scheffler, chanting "Free Scottie" and wearing T-shirts with slogans. Despite the attention, Scheffler remained focused on his game.

Will Zalatoris, Cameron Young seen walking on foot to PGA Championship amid chaotic morning

Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young were seen walking on foot to the PGA Championship amid chaotic morning conditions, including traffic, Scottie Scheffler's arrest, and a fatal shuttle bus accident that delayed the start of the tournament.

Scottie Scheffler isn’t the 1st pro golfer to be arrested at a tournament. Here are 5 others — including one of Al Capone’s henchmen.

Scottie Scheffler's arrest at the PGA Championship is not the first time a professional golfer has been arrested at a tournament. Other notable cases include Tiger Woods and John Daly for separate incidents, as well as Robert Allenby, Steven Bowditch, Matt Every, Joe Ogilvie, and even one of Al Capone's henchmen, Jack McGurn. Each arrest had its own circumstances and consequences.

Golf Tournaments happening this weekend

PGA Championship - Louisville, KY

Friday’s events at the PGA Championship in Louisville, KY, were marked by both competitive highlights and unfortunate incidents. The day began with a tragic accident when John C. Mills, a worker from Crestwood, was struck and killed by a shuttle bus near the Valhalla Golf Club. This incident led to a delay in the start of Round 2 by one hour and 20 minutes, with tee times beginning at 8:35 a.m. The Louisville Metro Police Department confirmed that Mills was hit around 5 a.m. while crossing Shelbyville Road and was pronounced dead at the scene. The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating the accident, and there were no other injuries reported.

In a separate incident, world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested by Louisville police after failing to comply with instructions during the traffic jam caused by the fatal accident. Scheffler, who was trying to enter the property for his 8:48 a.m. tee time, encountered a police presence outside. As he attempted to move his vehicle into the westbound lane to bypass the traffic, Detective Bryan Gillis tried to stop him. According to the police report, Scheffler continued forward, dragging Gillis to the ground, causing injuries and damaging his uniform pants. Scheffler's attorney, Steve Romines, stated that there was a miscommunication, as Scheffler was instructed to go in and the officer directing traffic was not part of the event detail. Despite the arrest, Scheffler managed to compose himself and shot a commendable five-under round of 66, moving him into a tie for third place at nine-under for the tournament.

On the competitive side, Xander Schauffele leads the tournament at 12-under par, following a strong performance that included a record-breaking opening round of 62. Collin Morikawa is close behind at 11-under, with Sahith Theegala at 10-under. Scottie Scheffler, despite his chaotic start, is tied for fourth at 9-under, along with Mark Hubbard, Thomas Detry, and Bryson DeChambeau. Tiger Woods missed the cut after finishing at 7-over, marking his 13th missed cut in a major.

Other notable exits include Jon Rahm, who missed the cut for the first time in 18 majors, finishing at even par, just one shot outside the cutline. Wyndham Clark, Phil Mickelson, and Michael Block also missed the cut. The day was filled with other notable performances, including Brooks Koepka's 3-under 68, which included eight birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey. Despite his struggles, Tiger Woods managed to finish the round at 7-over-par, ending his day with a birdie on the 18th hole.

Play was suspended due to darkness, with several players still on the course. Round 2 will resume early Saturday morning. Patrick Reed expressed frustration with his performance despite making the cut at 3-under, aiming to improve his standing over the weekend. Justin Thomas managed to navigate the emotional challenges of playing in his hometown, finishing at 6-under and in solid shape for the weekend.

Overall, the day was a mix of high-level golf and significant disruptions, setting the stage for an eventful continuation of the championship.

Xander Schauffele Leads Stacked Leaderboard As Round Two Suspended Due To Darkness

Xander Schauffele leads the stacked leaderboard as round two of the PGA Championship is suspended due to darkness. Brian Harman and Scottie Scheffler are making moves, while Mark Hubbard and Jon Rahm are also in contention. There have been some impressive shots and performances, despite the wet conditions. The round was delayed due to a serious accident near the course, and Scottie Scheffler's participation is now in doubt following an alleged incident with the police.

PGA Championship 2024: Collin Morikawa back in comfort zone—contending in a major

Collin Morikawa is back in contention at the PGA Championship after shooting a six-under-par 65 in the second round. With a total score of 11-under 131, Morikawa currently holds the clubhouse lead. Despite a bogey on the last hole, Morikawa's confidence remains high, and he believes that winning another major is just a matter of time. His strong performance is attributed to reuniting with his coach and a solid all-around game, including impressive putting.

Scheffler ends bizarre day tied for 4th at PGA Championship

Scottie Scheffler's eventful day at the PGA Championship, which included being booked into jail and wearing an orange shirt, didn't slow him down on the golf course. Despite the off-course distractions, Scheffler shot a 5-under 66 and finished tied for fourth place. The incident, triggered by a fatal accident involving a PGA vendor worker, drew attention and support from fans, who chanted "Free Scottie" and cheered him on throughout the round.

Tiger Woods has rough day at PGA Championship, will miss cut

Tiger Woods had a rough day at the PGA Championship, making two triple-bogeys in the second round and finishing with a 6-over 77. This score ensured that he would miss the cut. Woods expressed disappointment in his performance and acknowledged the mistakes he made. Despite this setback, he plans to participate in the next major, the U.S. Open.

PGA Championship: John Daly withdraws before second round after rough start, thumb injury

John Daly withdrew from the PGA Championship before his second round due to a thumb injury. Daly had a rough start on the opening day, finishing with an 11-over 82. Despite his struggles, Daly was enjoying himself on the course. Daly, who now plays on the PGA Tour Champions, has won five times on the PGA Tour and has one win on the Champions Tour. He has not made a cut at a major championship since 2018. John Daly's reported diet during the first round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla included two packs of cigarettes, four Snickers bars, and two Cokes.

Mizuho Americas Open - Jersey City, NJ

The Mizuho Americas Open witnessed an electrifying performance from Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul on Friday. The 21-year-old golfer surged into the lead with a bogey-free seven-under par 65, propelling her to a two-stroke advantage with a nine-under par total of 135.

Atthaya's round was nothing short of remarkable, as she birdied five of the last seven holes, showcasing her prowess on the back nine. Her consecutive birdies at the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes, all par-fours, were particularly impressive. After recovering from a left thumb injury, Atthaya expressed her renewed joy in the game, stating, "Being able to play golf again, it's just like 'click' and changed my mind."

World number one Nelly Korda kept herself in contention, finishing three shots behind Atthaya after carding a 68 for a total of 138. Korda acknowledged Atthaya's phenomenal play, saying, "She's playing phenomenal golf the past two days. I'm happy to be in it – three back at the halfway point, but hopefully I can give it my best."

Lee So-mi, the overnight leader, maintained her position after a one-under 71, putting her two strokes behind Atthaya. The LPGA rookie, who made her way into the field as the second alternate, was thrilled to be in contention heading into the weekend.

However, the tournament was marred by a series of withdrawals, with the LPGA announcing that a total of 10 players had withdrawn due to injury or various illnesses. Medical staff reported treating several players for symptoms related to a viral infection, raising concerns about health issues at the event.

While the leaderboard showcased impressive performances, the tournament's focus shifted to addressing the health concerns and ensuring the well-being of the players. The LPGA's monitoring of the situation will be crucial as the event progresses.

10 Players Withdraw From LPGA Tournament Due To Mystery Illness As Rose Zhang Cites 'Bad Intestinal Pain'

Ten players have withdrawn from the LPGA Tour's Mizuho Americas Open in Jersey City due to a mystery illness. Rose Zhang, the 6th ranked women's golfer, cited bad intestinal pain as the reason for her withdrawal. The LPGA Tour has not provided specific details about the illness, but there is speculation that it may be food poisoning. The tournament organizers have not made an official announcement regarding the situation.

Atthaya Thitikul surges in front at Mizuho Americas Open

Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand surged into the second-round lead at the Mizuho Americas Open with a 7-under 65, birdying five of her last seven holes. She holds a two-shot lead over So Mi Lee of South Korea entering the weekend. Nelly Korda is tied for third at 6 under.

LPGA Tour: Nelly Korda in contention at Mizuho Americas Open as illnesses leads to multiple withdrawals

World No 1 Nelly Korda is in contention at the LPGA Tour's Mizuho Americas Open, currently three shots behind the halfway leader. Multiple players have withdrawn from the tournament due to illness. Atthaya Thitikul holds a two-shot lead after a strong second round.

Megan Khang Making the Most of Mizuho Americas Open

Megan Khang is battling through a back injury at the Mizuho Americas Open but has managed to stay in contention with a 36-hole total of 5-under. Despite recent challenges and pain during her shots, Khang's positive attitude and tenacity have helped her perform well. She is currently tied for seventh and is determined to make the best of the situation. Khang's performance in this tournament is crucial for her Olympic qualification, as she is currently ranked 15th in the world. She is focused on taking it one shot at a time and letting good golf be rewarded.

Maguire and Meadow fail to make Americas Open cut

Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow failed to make the cut at the Mizuho Americas Open golf tournament. Meadow's one-under round of 71 was not enough to overcome her opening round 77, while Maguire finished on three-over par after a second-round 73. Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand leads the tournament on nine-under par.

AdventHealth Championship - Kansas City, MO

Heading to Blue Hills Country Club for Saturday's penultimate round of the AdventHealth Championship? Bring sunscreen and prepare for a tight leaderboard. With mid-80s sunshine expected, seven golfers are within 3 strokes of the lead entering Round 3. Alistair Docherty leads at 13-under, with Ryan Gerard close behind at 12-under. Several others are also in contention, including Jeff Overton at 11-under. Local golfers Harry Higgs, Robert Streb, and Chase Hannah have varying positions. The cut line is 4-under. This event, part of the Korn Ferry Tour, determines PGA Tour cards for top players. This year marks AdventHealth's 14th sponsorship and the fifth consecutive event at Blue Hills.

Alistair Docherty takes second-round lead at AdventHealth Championship

Alistair Docherty takes the second-round lead at the AdventHealth Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has logged 12 birdies and one eagle against just one bogey through 36 holes. Ryan Gerard is in second place, while Tanner Gore ties the low round of the day. The 36-hole cut was made at 4-under par, with 80 professionals making it to the weekend.

Harry Hillier cards first 59 in PGA TOUR Americas history

New Zealand's Harry Hillier made history by carding the first sub-60 score in PGA TOUR Americas history with a second-round, 13-under 59 at the Inter Rapidísimo Golf Championship. Hillier's round included 13 birdies and secured him a commanding lead in the tournament. This achievement adds to a season of low scores on PGA TOUR Pathways circuits.

Today’s Best Videos

What’s in the Bag (WITB)

Scottie Scheffler's golf equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship

Scottie Scheffler's golf equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship includes a TaylorMade Qi10 driver, TaylorMade Qi10 fairway wood, Srixon ZU85 irons, Titleist Vokey Design SM8 wedges, TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter, and Titleist Pro V1 golf balls.

Collin Morikawa's golf equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship

Collin Morikawa's golf equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship includes a TaylorMade Qi10 LS driver, TaylorMade SIM and Qi10 fairway woods, TaylorMade P-Series Proto and P7MC irons, TaylorMade MG4 wedges, TaylorMade TP Soto putter, and TaylorMade TP5x golf ball.

Thomas Detry's equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club

Thomas Detry's equipment at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club includes a Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver, Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke 3HL fairway wood, Callaway Epic Flash hybrid, Callaway Apex Pro and Apex MB irons, Callaway Jaws Raw and Jaws MD5 wedges, Odyssey O-Works #7 putter, and Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball.

Overheard in the Locker Room

John Daly Reportedly Smoked A Laughable Number Of Cigarettes During His First Round At The PGA Championship

During the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship, John Daly reportedly smoked multiple packs of cigarettes, ate four Snickers bars, and drank two cans of Coke. Despite his unconventional behavior, Daly remains a beloved figure in the golf world.

Fans are already wearing Scottie Scheffler mugshot T-shirts at 2024 PGA Championship

Fans at the 2024 PGA Championship are already wearing T-shirts featuring Scottie Scheffler's mugshot, following his arrest earlier in the day. Despite the arrest, Scheffler was released and is currently playing in the tournament.

PGA Championship 2024: Surprising PGA contender had the best reaction to Scottie Scheffler's police report before teeing off

“No f-ing way Scottie only weighs 170…f*$& I’m fat.” In the midst of the Scottie Scheffler controversy at the PGA Championship, fellow golfer Mark Hubbard made a lighthearted comment about Scheffler's weight before teeing off. Despite the distraction, Hubbard had a strong start and is currently in second place behind Xander Schauffele.

PGA Championship 2024: This is it, this is the weirdest fan heckle in the history of golf

During the PGA Championship at Valhalla, a fan heckle at the 10th tee became the weirdest in golf history. Xander Schauffele hit a great drive after taking the lead with a birdie. The heckle was new, creative, and possibly NSFW, making it stand out among the usual annoying ones.

Why are pros using laser rangefinders, GPS at the 2024 PGA Championship?

The PGA of America allows the use of laser rangefinders and GPS devices in its major championships, starting from 2021. This decision aims to improve the flow of play and provide relevant yardages to players and caddies. The devices are limited to reporting distance and direction, and cannot calculate elevation changes or suggest clubs. While already common in practice rounds, this marks their introduction in professional competition rounds.

PGA Championship 2024: Brian Harman slams club in disgust, hits himself in the face

During the PGA Championship, Brian Harman expressed his frustration by slamming his golf club into the ground, but it bounced back and hit him in the face. Despite this incident, Harman was having a good round with four birdies and no bogeys.

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UPCOMING TOURS

PGA TOUR Schedule 2024

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LIV Golf Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LIV Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

LPGA Tour Schedule 2024

Click to see the entire LPGA Tour Schedule for 2024 including the Previous winners and Purse.

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