Scottie Scheffler able to laugh after arrest at PGA as he focuses on US Open

PINEHURST – World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler says he is fully focused on this week’s US Open and picking up a sixth win of the season in Pinehurst, North Carolina, having put his arrest at the PGA Championship behind him.

Since March, the 27-year-old American has played eight events and won five, including his second Masters title. On two other occasions he was runner-up.

His worst result in that red-hot patch was a tie for eighth at the PGA Championship in May.

But he still threatened to win the Major, even after he was arrested before the second round over a traffic-stop misunderstanding involving a police officer at the entrance to the Valhalla Golf Club.

The officer, Bryan Gillis, had allegedly suffered injuries while clinging onto his car but the charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Like so much else in his life, the laid-back Scheffler has taken everything in his stride, never losing his focus or good nature.

He said he does not like reliving the incident but also had a chuckle over a viral video parodying the situation.

The video posted on X shows a fan pulling into a parking lot for a tournament in Louisville with a dummy wearing a police uniform dangling from the driver’s side window.

It prompted a huge laugh and the comment: “Scottie Scheffler is here today.”

“It’s kind of hard not to laugh about the guy who did that,” Scheffler said with a smile at a press conference on June 11.

“Xander (Schauffele) did tell me about it yesterday. He got a pretty good kick out of it... So you’ve got to be able to look in the mirror and laugh at yourself, too.”

What Scheffler’s rivals are not finding funny is the roll he is on and which has him as the favourite at Pinehurst No. 2.

In May, the world No. 1 and his wife welcomed their first child and young Bennett was there last weekend when dad won the Memorial Tournament.

Having a child has changed Scheffler’s life but not the results as he emerged from the PGA Championship chaos with a tie for second at the Charles Schwab Challenge and then victory at the Memorial.

“All I’m focused on is this week and getting ready to play,” he added.

“Just because I won last week doesn’t give me any shots this week. When I’m home I try to be the best husband and father, and when I’m out here I try to be the best golfer I can be.”

There was also good news at home for Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica, who have called off their divorce and are looking forward to a “new beginning”, the Northern Irishman said.

The four-time Major champion filed divorce papers to end his seven-year marriage in May, on the eve of the PGA Championship. But ahead of the US Open, he said there had been a change of heart.

The 35-year-old, who has not won a Major since 2014, is confident that he can make the breakthrough this week as he has finished no worse than 15th in his last five starts.

“Getting my hands on a fifth Major has taken quite a while, but I’m more confident than ever that I’m close,” he said.

Two-time Major winner Jon Rahm, meanwhile, has withdrawn due to a foot infection. REUTERS, AFP