SCOTTIE Scheffler’s dramatic arrest has wreaked havoc on ESPN’s daytime programming.
The 27-year-old world’s No. 1 golfer was arrested by Kentucky police outside the Valhalla Golf Club on Friday morning.
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Scheffler was booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections after a road incident outside the iconic course.
He faces charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals by a police officer directing traffic, according to a police report.
ESPN is currently broadcasting the PGA Championship, with full coverage available on ESPN+.
But as Scheffler made a dramatic return to Valhalla to capitalize on his departure from prison, the network made the decision to broadcast nationally.
The first take was supposed to air at 10 a.m. ET, just 8 minutes before Scheffler’s reworked time slot.
Host Molly Qerim and lead analyst Stephen A. Smith briefly appeared on screen to announce a schedule change.
ESPN stayed with its ESPN+ coverage for another 10 minutes, watching Scheffler tee off live for the opening day hero’s welcome.
The net finally returned to Molly and Smith moments later, missing Scheffler making birdie.
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“@espn gave a master class on breaking news,” wrote one viewer on X.
Scheffler’s arrest followed a tragic incident in the early hours outside the Kentucky golf course.
Louisville police say a man was struck and killed by a bus outside Valhalla this morning, via WDRB-TV.
This led to officers closing the road outside the course, with the second round of the golf tournament postponed.
Scheffler was involved in a “misunderstanding with traffic flow [that] led to his attempt to pass off a police officer at Valhalla Golf Club,” said ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported in.
The golf ace has since clarified his position with a statement released by the PGA Tour.
“This morning, I was proceeding as instructed by the police officers,” it said.
First look at the numbers
First Take has grown from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim over the past year.
ESPN’s weekday debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 — making it the most-watched year in the show’s history.
Its December average of 611,000 represented a 24% annual increase compared to 2022.
The show has also recorded more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
“It was a very chaotic situation, which is understandable considering the tragic accident that occurred earlier, and there was a huge misunderstanding about what I thought I was being asked to do.
“I never intended to disregard any of the instructions.
“I’m hoping to put that aside and focus on golf today.
“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who passed away in this morning’s incident.
“It really puts everything into perspective.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
