Nike made a clever reference to Scottie Scheffler‘s infamous 2024 arrest in an ad celebrating his PGA Championship triumph.
Scheffler, who was arrested while making his way into Valhalla Golf Club for the very same tournament last year, completed an astonishing story by going on to win it one year later.
The current world No. 1 recovered from a brief collapse early on in his final round to eventually capture his third major championship, before planting a kiss on his wife Meredith and hugging their one-year-old son Bennett in emotional scenes.
And not long after his poetic triumph, Nike released a brilliant ad poking fun at Scheffler’s PGA Championship arrest last year.
At the top of a photo of him teeing off, the global sports brand wrote alongside its famous logo: ‘Best player in the world? Guilty.’
Nike shared its ad on X and also included the caption: The verdict is in. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the PGA Champion.’
Nike referenced Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 arrest in an ad celebrating his PGA Championship win
Scheffler was infamously arrested while making his way to the very same tournament last year
Scheffler, 28, was arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky before the second round of last year’s PGA Championship.
Amid a traffic pileup outside the club – following a fatal accident earlier that morning – the two-time Masters champion was accused of ignoring police orders to pull over his vehicle and instead speeding away, which allegedly dragged Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis to the ground and left him with both minor cuts and torn pants.
Scheffler was handcuffed and taken away by cops before his second round and was booked into jail on four criminal charges – including second-degree assault of a police officer.
All charges against Scheffler were eventually dropped, though he later took legal action himself after his claim that the incident was simply one big misunderstanding was said to be ‘corroborated by the evidence’.
After opening this year’s tournament with a two-under 69, Scheffler shot a 68 in the second round before a six-under on Saturday saw him open up a three-shot lead heading into Sunday.
He was even on the final day of the tournament, which still proved to be more than enough as Jon Rahm – who briefly led on Saturday – shoot two-over on the final day and wound up tied for eighth place.
The current world No. 1 banished his demons by lifting the trophy one year on from that ordeal
After claiming victory he planted a kiss on wife Meredith as she held their baby son Bennett
Following the win, an impassioned Scheffler threw his hat to the ground in celebration before making his way over to wife Meredith and their baby son Bennett.
The family-of-three embraced during a heartwarming moment before Scheffler and Meredith shared a kiss.
Scheffler also shared a touching moment with his parents, as his father beamed with pride for his son.
‘Words can’t describe what we just watched,’ his father could be heard saying. ‘You are the toughest guy, and the sweetest boy. I’m so proud of you. Thank you for never giving up, Scottie.’
