Downs was one of the three officers who failed to turn on their body cams during Scheffler’s incident at Valhalla.
In one of the wildest stories of the last 10 years in golf, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, just a month after winning his second green jacket at the Masters, was arrested early Friday morning of the PGA Championship back in May.
On Friday, Ward Jolles of Wave 3 News in Louisville reported that LMPD Officer Javar Downs was arrested for stealing $4,000 he seized from a suspect being booked into jail.
Downs was one of the three officers who failed to turn on their body cams during Scheffler’s incident at Valhalla.
LMPD has put Downs on “emergency suspension” and has “begun the process of terminating the employment of Officer Downs.”
MORE: Downs is charged with one count of Theft by Unlawful Taking $1k or greater, and one count of official misconduct. After allegedly pocketing money he seized from a suspect he booked into LMDC, Downs himself was booked this morning. Here's his mugshot. @wave3newspic.twitter.com/4HlBm2S5Ji
The 2024 PGA Championship was one of the oddest weeks in the history of golf. After returning to the game after the birth of his first child, Scottie Scheffler was arrested before the second round due to an incident outside the gates of Valhalla Golf Club. Scheffler would return to the course hours later and play in the second round. He eventually tied for eighth.
Scheffler was accused of assaulting Gillis during the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Earlier this week, the Louisville Police disciplined Gillis after determining the detective had violated a policy over body-camera footage.
Gillis charged that Scheffler disobeyed his orders and then dragged him to the ground with his car causing injuries to the officer and his clothing.
According to an arrest citation, Scheffler ignored directions from Gillis in front of Valhalla Golf Club hours before his second-round tee time at the 106th PGA Championship.
Despite the lack of evidence to support his claims in his report on the incident, Gillis did not back down on his recollection of how things went down.
“To be clear, I was drug by the car, I went to the ground, and I received visible injuries to my knees and wrists,” he wrote in his statement. “I’m going to recover from it, and it will be OK. This is the extent of my commentary on the incident.”
Gillis’s statement expressed his concern for Jon Mills, a 69-year-old security officer who was struck and killed on Shelbyville Road by a shuttle bus earlier that morning, which was the cause of the traffic backup and delayed the start of play on May 17.
Gillis concluded by wishing Scheffler and his family “all the best.” But he wasn’t done yet. He included a postscript: “Yes, the department has us buying freaking $80 pants. To those concerned, they were indeed ruined. But Scottie, it’s all good. I never would’ve guessed I’d have the most famous pair of pants in the country for a few weeks because of this. Take care and be safe.”
It was the perfect conclusion to a bizarre incident that will be one of the great footnotes in recent major championship history.
Scheffler was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic. He was released on personal recognizance and returned to Valhalla, where he later called the incident a “big misunderstanding.”
Meanwhile, Scheffler issued the following statement on his Instagram story:
“As I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding. I hold no ill will toward Officer Gillis. I wish to put this incident behind me and move on, and I hope he will do the same. Police officers have a difficult job and I hold them in high regard. This was a severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation.
“I appreciate the support during the past two weeks and want to again encourage everyone to remember the real tragedy of May 17. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with John Mills and his family, and I hope to personally offer my condolences now that the case is over. May John rest in peace.”
Scheffler’s attorney previously said in a statement his client is not interested in negotiating a plea deal with the attorney’s office.
Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell will address allegations against Scottie Scheffler in court Wednesday, according to a statement from his office.
The statement did not provide further details on what will be covered during Wednesday’s appearance. A spokesperson from O’Connell’s office said he would have no additional comment prior to the hearing.
Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, was arrested by a Louisville Metro Police detective for allegedly injuring him with his car outside Valhalla Golf Club on May 17. Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic, according to his arrest citation. Second-degree assault is classified as a Class C felony in Kentucky.
Scottie Scheffler arrives at the course after being detained by police before the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Scheffler will not be present at the hearing, following an agreement between the parties and the permission of the court, the release stated. His arraignment is set for June 3, according to court records.
Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, previously said in a statement his client is not interested in negotiating a plea deal with the attorney’s office.
“I am prepared to litigate as needed and the case will be dismissed, or we will go to trial because Scottie did absolutely nothing wrong,” Romines said.
LMPD alleged Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground.”
The Louisville Metro Police Department has scheduled an 11:30 a.m. press conference to discuss the May 17 incident outside Valhalla Golf Club that led to the arrest of professional golfer Scottie Scheffler ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship, according to reporting done by the Louisville Courier-Journal.
According to an arrest citation, Scheffler was driving eastbound in a marked PGA player vehicle toward Gate 1 when he pulled into a westbound lane, “where outbound traffic was flowing,” to bypass the backup caused by an earlier fatal collision.
LMPD Detective Bryan Gillis was “in the middle of the westbound lanes, in full uniform and a hi-visibility yellow reflective rain jacket,” when he stopped Scheffler and “attempted to give instructions,” the citation said.
LMPD alleged Scheffler “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Detective Gillis to the ground. Detective Gillis suffered pain, swelling and abrasions to his left wrist and knee.”
Scheffler, who has since called the incident a “big misunderstanding,” and competed in the tournament later that day, is charged with second-degree assault of a police officer — a felony that carries years of prison time — as well as third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler’s arrest drew eyeballs to coverage of the PGA Championship, and the ratings benefitted.
Scottie Scheffler being booked on suspicion of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic brought eyeballs and a spike in viewership to the broadcast of the 106th PGA Championship.
CBS reported an 11-percent viewership increase for the final round of the PGA Championship on Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club. CBS averaged just under 5 million viewers, up from 4.5 million last year when Brooks Koepka won by two shots at Oak Hill. (It’s still the second-lowest rating in the last five years.)
Scheffler, the world No. 1 and reigning Masters champion, was detained early Friday morning before his second-round tee time after trying to drive into the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The assault charge is a felony; the others are misdemeanors.
News of Scheffler’s arrest went viral and included firsthand reporting by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, who witnessed Scheffler attempt to enter the club and a police officer attach himself to the vehicle.
ESPN’s live telecast of the second round of the PGA Championship on May 17 averaged 1.6 million viewers, an increase of 18 percent in audience compared to the second-round coverage in 2023.
Friday’s telecast, which ran from noon until 8 p.m. ET, peaked at 2 million viewers during the 6-6:15 p.m. quarter hour. Last year’s second-round telecast averaged 1.369 million viewers.
Also on Friday, the ESPN BET at the PGA Championship alternate telecast on ESPN2 averaged 323,000 viewers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., up from 164,000 average viewers during the first round Thursday.
The PGA Championship with No Laying Up alternate telecast that aired on ESPN2 from 1-3 p.m. averaged 155,000 viewers, up from 89,000 average viewers Thursday.
TV ratings of PGA Tour events have been down significantly for the year. The Masters, which Scheffler captured by four strokes, was down 20 percent to an average of 9.59 million viewers. The Tour has been plagued by bad weather, such as the cancellation of the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and by several lesser-known winners (Matthieu Pavon, Jake Knapp). Another pressing concern: Tour-LIV fatigue.
Perhaps all CBS needed was a photo finish between Xander Schauffele, the player formerly wearing the label of best player never to win a major, and LIV showman Bryson DeChambeau. Either that, or more likely the world No. 1 being photographed in an orange jumpsuit for his mug shot before shooting 66 gave golf a bump. Regardless, it’s a positive for the networks, who have been taking it on the chin this season.
The game of golf is in desperate need of characters, and the PGA Championship was better off thanks to Bryson.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On Saturday evening, as the sun set on Valhalla Golf Club at the PGA Championship, Bryson DeChambeau did what he does best.
I’m not talking about his chip-in eagle from off the green on the par-5 18th hole. I’m talking about how he celebrated that eagle. The bulked-up bomber turned on his star power, lunged into an epic fist pump and sent the thousands of fans surrounding the green into a full-on frenzy of excitement. DeChambeau had moved into a tie for fourth place at 13 under alongside Shane Lowry and Viktor Hovland, two shots behind 54-hole leaders Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa.
Come Sunday, DeChambeau dazzled the crown once again with a bogey-free 7-under 64 that was sealed with another electrifying fist-pumping moment on the final hole. Playing in the group ahead, DeChambeau took the clubhouse lead and tied Schauffele at 20 under, which equaled the record-low score in relation to par at a major championship. Had you told DeChambeau before the round that he’d shoot a blemish-free 64, he would’ve thought that was enough to win. After all, it would take a historic performance to top that.
“I seriously thought 18 was going to do it,” DeChambeau admitted after the scorecards were signed. “Then when I saw what Xander was doing, it’s like, ‘Man, he’s playing some unbelievable golf.’ Viktor was right there. I mean, he was beating me for quite awhile, and I was hitting it all over the place.”
“I mean, it was an impressive, impressive round of golf by all three of us,” he added. “I don’t know what else to say. It was just difficult.”
It’s rare when DeChambeau is left speechless, so you know this one hit hard. Since he turned pro in 2016, DeChambeau has never been afraid to speak his mind, no matter the topic, for better or worse. He’s tinkered with not only his game and clubs – so much so that he’s been dubbed the Mad Scientist – but also his personality. His detractors have called him out over the years for his, at times, cringey behavior and corny antics. There’s no denying he’s a quirky guy who struggled with the early fame he received in his career. When he took his talents to LIV Golf, DeChambeau made a few comments that I’m sure he would take back if he could.
Bryson DeChambeau reacts on the ninth green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
But DeChambeau, now 30, appears to be living his best life. He’s matured but still has a youthful exuberance. He’s designing clubs built for his game. He’s contending in majors again. He’s having fun off the course and creating entertaining and informative content on YouTube. All of that has led to his re-emergence as one of the truly great showmen the game has to offer.
“YouTube has helped me understand that a little bit more. When the moment comes, knowing what to do, what to say, how to act is really important,” DeChambeau explained. “You know, when I was younger I didn’t understand what it was. I would have great celebrations and whatnot, but I didn’t know what it meant and what I was doing it necessarily for. Now I’m doing it a lot more for the fans and for the people around and trying to be a bit of an entertainer that plays good golf every once in a while.”
In the wake of his move to LIV, DeChambeau used to be booed at major championships. This week, he rode the good vibes like a wave and crowd-surfed his way back into the hearts of the fans at Valhalla. The game of golf is in desperate need of characters, and the PGA Championship was better off thanks to DeChambeau.
I’m a retired police officer. The aggressive arrest of PGA golfer takes the cake.
I was a police officer in Canada for 37 years. When I watched the arrest of Scottie Scheffler and followed the details made available I was shocked. With the limited details and no credible information provided by the police to support the need to arrest and charge any person under these circumstances, it is very suspect.
I do believe Scottie Sheffler’s explanation as to what his intentions were that morning. There is no way this guy was trying to break the law. From what info has surfaced to date publicly, my take is that the arresting officer over reacted to some guy not really understanding the chaotic situation. The reporter on the scene gave a pretty good description of a police officer getting overly aggressive and then having to find a way to save face. Well I would say he will not save face and will be lucky to save his job. I usually do not comment on over aggressive police action, but this takes the cake.
— Ron Nause, Canada
No body cam footage of the PGA golfer arrest? So much for Greenberg’s ‘world class city.’
Mayor Craig Greenberg gave a breakdown of the Scottie Scheffler arrest at the PGA tournament and it was very confusing to say the least, he said he wasn’t sure if the detective was wearing a body cam or just didn’t have it turned on. I thought the chief of police answered to the mayor and you would think the mayor would consult with the chief before making any comments.
It is very suspicious that it appears when there is a he-said-they-said incident, the body cam wasn’t turned on. The body cams the police department were furnished by the tax payers were very expensive and they were furnished for a purpose, and if the officer had his body cam turned on the citizens of Louisville wouldn’t be wondering who is right and who is wrong. Maybe if the Louisville Metro Police Department had a policy of two days off without pay if they didn’t have their body cams on they wouldn’t forget.
—Larry Warner, 40299
Valhalla or Va-ha-ha?
Looks like every time Louisville tries to portray itself as that “World Class City” we always hear about, we blow it. Golf course? How about using the land for a tow in lot and affordable housing?
I know the answer to that. Not in my backyard!
—Samuel L Osborne, 40205
Now no body cam footage?
What kind of cop grabs onto a car to get a supposed suspect? It’s a power hungry one. Then, they charge the driver with a felony. The cops clearly didn’t have control of the situation, just total incompetence. The cop didn’t have his body cam on as required by LMPD policy, so he can make up any story he wants. He needs to be fired, pronto. I’m staying out of Louisville.
Sunday ended with high drama as Schauffele’s 21-under score set a record for a major championship. He needed to make every stroke as the possibility of a three-way tie for first with Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland loomed until the final putts on the 18th hole.
The play rose to the occasion of one of golf’s majors and so did the support in Louisville.
So for all the worry about whether the PGA will return from an event first played here in 1996, I’m here to tell you, it will. Louisville is much bigger than its shortcomings. The proof is in how this community shows up. How this community embraces big sporting events.
If that’s not good enough, well, the proof is in the dollar signs.
“This was the all-time, most-attended and highest-revenue PGA (Championship) in their history,” Valhalla club co-owner Jimmy Kirchdorfer said.
He said they not only set records in general admission and hospitality tickets, but the 700,000 square feet of hospitality tents spread out over the course was record-breaking as well.
Now, try to name a professional sports organization that ignores a potential revenue-generating — a record-setting revenue-generating — opportunity. The PGA of America isn’t one of them.
That’s not to say there’s no work to be done.
Valhalla has to get creative in how it will handle parking and pedestrian traffic into the golf club. There’s always been an uneasy mix of people walking along the road with no sidewalk or barriers and the cars that fill two eastbound lanes, two westbound lanes and a fifth turning lane in the middle.
Friday’s tragic death of John C. Mills brought focus into just how dangerous it is.
He was one of the many workers and volunteers that usually remain anonymous who showed up to work as a security guard for a vendor. He was killed when he was hit by a bus crossing over Shelbyville Road trying to enter Valhalla.
That accident led to an embarrassment for the city when Louisville police arrested Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer, stemming from what he labeled a “misunderstanding” as he tried to enter the course by driving around the scene.
When the charges are inevitably dropped — and the faster it becomes a random trivia question, the better it’ll be for the city — it should ultimately not factor into future events returning.
Kirchdorfer said he had “no doubt” Valhalla would continue to bring major golf events to the city. (He added that the club has “never thought about” being open to a LIV Golf-sponsored event.)
Large crowds made their way around the course during the first day of play in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Photo: Sam Upshaw Jr./Louisville Courier Journal)
A major golf event may not return as fast as some wish — the PGA Championship has already selected its future sites through 2031. But the wait from the last time it was here was 10 years from Rory McIlroy’s win in 2014, and before that the gap was 14 years from Tiger Woods’ win in 2000.
“Selfishly, I hope it has an opportunity to come back,” said Louisville native and St. Xavier graduate Justin Thomas, who finished tied for eighth at 13 under. “… Louisville shows out when they have the opportunity to (watch golf tournaments), and they did this week.”
The PGA Championship returning to Valhalla came on the 60-year anniversary of Louisville native Bobby Nichols winning the 1964 PGA Championship — his lone major — in Columbus, Ohio. There’s enough of a golf heritage here that it won’t just be hastily disregarded in the future. Maybe even enough that Schauffele’s lead will be followed and people will learn to say the name right.
Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops.
The PGA of America has most of its PGA Championships scheduled out through 2034.
The PGA of America has most of its PGA Championships scheduled out through the next decade.
The sites for 2032 and 2033 are still to be determined but there are eight championships – at seven different venues – on the docket through 2034.
Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is set to host the 2025 championship, the second time the venue has hosted. In 2017, Justin Thomas won the first of his two PGAs at Quail Hollow. It’ll be the 107th PGA Championship.
Here are the future sites of the PGA Championship.
