Scottie Scheffler broke the internet earlier this year on 17th May, but it was not for his golfing prowess. The 2-time Masters winner was arrested by the police ahead of the Round 2 of 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course. Scheffler was later released and completed the second round at Valhalla despite the early morning ruckus. Moreover, he also made the cut and progressed to the weekend at 2024’s second Major.
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot; Scheffler with Kai Trump (Source: @Kaitrumpgolfer IG; LMPD)
Kai Trump, who is Donald Trump’s granddaughter, met Scheffler in Las Vegas ahead of ‘The Showdown’ and asked him about the incident. The American superstar is competing in the event alongside Rory McIlroy and facing LIV Golf’s Bryson Dechambeau and Brooks Koepka.
Donald Trump’s eldest grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 directly asked Scheffler about his prison time:
“Scottie, you’re too nice but how was jail?”
The World number 1 golfer said:
“You know, honestly it was a bit boring. There’s not much to do in there. I was in the Cell by myself and you’re just sitting there looking at the walls so it was a little boring.”
Trump then added about Scottie’s mugshot in jail uniform and compared him to Tiger Woods who was previously arrested in 2017:
“I mean, orange is not a bad color, though, on you. So you pulled it off, just like Tiger Woods”.
Scottie Scheffler jokingly responded,
“I prefer the burnt orange a little bit more than the jail cell orange.”
Scottie Scheffler’s partner Rory McIlroy on ‘The Showdown’ – “Players want to play together more often.”
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been rivals for a long time. However, ‘The Showdown’ at the Shadow Creek Golf Club sees them pair up together to face LIV golfers Bryson and Brooks Koepka. Despite recent tensions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the top golfers hope this tournament will act as a catalyst that bridges the differences in the golf world.
Rory McIlroy commented ahead of the match:
“It was really about us saying we’re going take this into our own hands a little bit and we’re going to do something outside either tour. We want to let the fans know that we’re trying to provide entertainment, that the players want to play together more often.”
The Irish golfer also said:
“This isn’t just a contest between some of golf’s major champions, it’s an event designed to energise the fans.”
McIlroy will fly to Dubai to defend his title in the coming weeks and start off the season in the hope of winning his elusive 5th Major. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler will look to continue his dominance on the PGA Tour and add to his Major wins next year.