SCOTTIE Scheffler has broken his silence after criminal charges against him were dropped following his dramatic arrest at the US PGA Championship.
The world number one golfer, 27, had been accused of assaulting a police officer - allegations he called a "big misunderstanding".
Prosecutor Mike O'Connell this afternoon said he would not pursue criminal action against Scheffler.
Addressing the court, which Scheffler was not required to be in, O'Connell said the golfer's claim that the incident was a "misunderstanding" was corroborated by the evidence.
Police had charged him with a felony offence of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.
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Scheffler's lawyer Steve Romines insisted at the time that the charges against his client would "either be dropped or we'll go to trial".
O'Connell tendered a motion of order to dismiss all charges at the Hall of Justice in Louisville.
Scheffler took to his Instagram account to respond to the charges being dropped.
He wrote: "Earlier today, I was informed by my attorney, Steve Romines, that all charges were formally dismissed in regard to the incident outside of Valhalla Golf Club on May 17.
"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. Thank you, Scottie."
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The reigning Masters champ was detained on May 17 after allegedly driving into a cop and dragging him to the floor.
In a span of three hours, Scheffler was arrested, dressed in an orange shirt for a mugshot, had a brief stint in a jail cell and returned to the golf course just 56 minutes before he teed off in the second round.
While Scheffler carded a second-round 66, he had to settle for a tie of eighth place and finished seven shots off eventual winner Xander Schauffele.
Scheffler was due to appear at court on June 3.
O'Connell told the court: "Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr Scheffler.
"Mr Scheffler's characterisation that this was a 'big misunderstanding' is corroborated by the evidence.
"The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr Scheffler.
"However, Mr Scheffler's actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange and misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offences.
"For these reasons, judge I now tender to the court a motion of order to dismiss all these charges in this case against Mr Scheffler with prejudice."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.
Traffic had been backed up for about a mile in both directions with police directing vehicles in the dark.
Scheffler was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging Gillis to the ground.
The cop said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.
Witnesses said Sheffler, who has a net worth of roughly £14million, tried to drive around what he believed to be security staff.
A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler's vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course.
Scheffler was later pulled from the car.
Wearing shorts and a t-shirt, footage showed him being cuffed and bundled into a police car.
But the video did not show Gillis first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.
Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest.
Following the incident, Scheffler wrote on Instagram: "There was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do.
"I never intended to disregard any of the instructions."
