Charges against world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler stemming from his arrest before the second round of the PGA Championship two weeks ago have been dropped.
Jefferson County lawyer Mike O'Connell told the court there was not enough evidence to move forward with the case against Scheffler, who was charged on May 17 with four counts, including felony second-degree assault on a police officer outside the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
"Mr Scheffler's characterisation that this was a 'big misunderstanding' is corroborated by the evidence," O'Connell told the court.
"Mr Scheffler's actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offences."
The charges were dropped with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled.
Scheffler was arrested for allegedly attempting to drive around traffic that was backed up due to a pedestrian fatality investigation outside the Valhalla course.
He was released from jail hours later in time to compete in the tournament, which was delayed by the fatal accident near the entrance to the course.
According to the police report, officer Bryan Gillis stopped Scheffler's vehicle and attempted to give him instructions but the golfer "refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging" the officer to the ground.
Last week, the Louisville Metro Police Department said they took "corrective action" against Gillis for not activating his body-worn camera during the incident.
Scheffler, who had also been charged with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic, said in a statement he was happy to put the incident behind him.
"As I stated previously, this was an unfortunate misunderstanding," Scheffler said in a statement.
"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."
Lawyer Steve Romines said Scheffler, who is in the midst of a remarkable season of golf, would not be filing a civil lawsuit and wanted to focus on his career rather than get distracted by litigation.
"He's happy it's over, he wants to move on," Romines told reporters.
"He has no desire to a) be involved in litigation, and b) try to recover money from the taxpayers of Louisville."
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Reuters