Scottie Scheffler's Unconventional Warm-up Leads to PGA Championship Success

Scottie Scheffler sat in a jail cell, his body shaking, as he watched his own arrest story on TV nearby. After calming his heart rate, the world's top-ranked golfer started his warm-up routine for the second round of the PGA Championship in Kentucky.

Despite starting his day in an unexpected situation on Friday, the 27-year-old ended it where he was expected to be – in contention at the tournament.

Hours after his arrest and release from jail on felony assault charges, Scheffler impressively shot a five-under 66 at Louisville’s Valhalla Golf Club, advancing his quest for a second consecutive major title.

Scottie Scheffler warms up before the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday, May 17, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scottie Scheffler warms up before the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday, May 17, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Sue Ogrocki/AP

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"I feel like my head is still spinning," said tournament favorite Scheffler when he talked to reporters after returning to the clubhouse.

"I can’t really explain what happened this morning. I did spend some time stretching in a jail cell – that was a first for me … I was just sitting there waiting and I started going through my warmup. I felt like there was a chance I may be able to still come out here and play.

I feel lucky that I got to go out and play golf today. The second round was supposed to start, but it got delayed by 80 minutes because of a tragic accident near the course. The person who passed away in the accident was John Mills, who worked for a vendor that partners with the PGA of America.

Scheffler, who was detained and arrested for allegedly injuring a police officer at the crash site while trying to drive to the course, started his post-round press conference by expressing his sympathy for the Mills family.

"I can't even begin to imagine what they must be feeling right now," he said.

“One day he’s heading to the golf course to watch a tournament, a few moments later he’s trying to cross the street, and now he’s no longer with us.”

Scheffler was pursued by large crowds throughout his second round.

Scheffler was pursued by large crowds throughout his second round.

Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/Getty Images

Feeling shaken up by the arrest, Scheffler remembered trembling with shock and fear for almost an hour before starting his warm-up in the holding cell.

Even though he had watched on ESPN that tee times were being delayed, the two-time Masters champion wasn't sure if he would be able to make his own until an officer told him to get prepared to leave.

Scheffler had high praise for the officers at the jail, calling them "tremendous" for making jokes during his fingerprinting process. However, he admitted that it took "a little while" for him to calm down as he was driven back to the course. Once there, he embraced his parents before getting ready for his opening tee shot, where he received a warm welcome from the cheering crowds.

"It felt really nice. I sensed that the crowd was cheering extra loudly for me today," Scheffler shared happily.

“I didn’t really know what the reception would be like,” he added. “It was great having the fans behind me.”

Schauffele keeps soaring Morikawa at bay

After starting with a birdie, Scheffler showed his usual calmness as he sank five more putts. This improved his score to one better than his first round 67, placing him just three strokes behind leader Xander Schauffele going into the weekend.

On the other hand, world No. 3 Schauffele had a quieter afternoon after his impressive opening round of 62, the lowest score ever recorded in 106 major editions. Despite this, his score of 68 was enough to keep Collin Morikawa, who was playing exceptionally well, at a safe distance.

Morikawa surged into contention with five straight birdies, shooting a 65 to trail American compatriot Schauffele by just one shot at 12-under par. Schauffele, aiming for his first major win, acknowledged the pressure after a competitor posted a 62.

It seems like everyone is aiming for low scores these days. That's just the trend around here. So, for now, it's probably best to stay focused and keep working hard – after all, it's only two rounds.

Schauffele lines up a putt.

Schauffele lines up a putt.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Schauffele commented on Scheffler, saying: "When you see Scottie's mug shot, it almost feels like a joke or something.

I know Scottie quite well. We have the same physiotherapist and we've been playing golf together for a few years. I can vouch for him as a good guy, and I believe he didn't mean any harm to anyone. Hopefully, everything turns out okay for him."

American golfer Sahith Theegala is currently one shot behind Morikawa as he finishes the last hole of his second round, with play being suspended due to darkness at 8:41 p.m. ET.

In tied-fourth place, we have Scottie Scheffler, Mark Hubbard, and Bryson DeChambeau, all one shot behind Theegala. They are joined by Thomas Detry from Belgium.

Tiger Woods had a rough start on Saturday, shooting a six-over 77. This disappointing performance caused him to slide to seven-over par overall, which is far below the projected one-under cut line. As a result, Woods' hopes of making it to the weekend were dashed.

The 48-year-old seemed set to continue his impressive streak of 24 consecutive weekend appearances at the Masters last month. However, he fell behind early on after triple-bogeying two of the first four holes. Despite this, Woods managed to finish on a positive note with a closing birdie, which served as a parting gift for fans and a small consolation for himself.

Woods was derailed by a grueling start.

Woods was derailed by a grueling start.

Scott Taetsch/PGA of America/Getty Images

“My scores did not indicate how the people treated me and how great a week I had. Unfortunately, I hit too many shots,” Woods told reporters.

I need to tidy up my rounds, but I'm feeling better physically than I was a month ago. I still have a ways to go and plenty of room for improvement physically.

Woods is among the notable names expected to miss the cut, along with Jon Rahm, last year's Masters champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, the winner of the 2022 US Open, and Phil Mickelson, a six-time major champion.

Play will resume at 7:15 a.m. E.T. (12:15 BST) on Saturday.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the remarkable resilience of Scottie Scheffler, who overcame an unexpected arrest to deliver an impressive performance at the PGA Championship. Scheffler's composure and determination are a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering focus. Despite the challenges he faced, he managed to maintain his composure and execute his game plan effectively.

Scheffler's warm reception from the crowd also speaks volumes about the power of sportsmanship and the ability of fans to separate personal issues from athletic performance. The crowd's support provided him with an additional boost of motivation and helped him overcome the emotional turmoil he may have been experiencing. The article also sheds light on the tragic accident that occurred near the course, emphasizing the importance of safety and the fragility of life.