Xander Schauffele and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler Bond Over Arrests and WhatsApp Group Chat

Xander Schauffele reveals the creation of a WhatsApp group chat among top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler, to navigate the tension surrounding Scheffler's arrest during the PGA Championship.

Xander Schauffele's historic PGA Championship victory was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Scottie Scheffler's arrest in Louisville. However, behind the scenes, a WhatsApp group chat emerged as a source of support and camaraderie among the world's top golfers.

Schauffele, in an interview on Barstool's "Pardon My Take" podcast, shared details about the group chat, which includes Scheffler, Gary Woodland, JT Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Pat Cantlay, and himself. All of them share the same physiotherapist.

"When co-host PFT Commenter suggested the group chat's photo should be changed to Scheffler's mug shot, Schauffele replied, "Obviously, that happened."

Scheffler's arrest for second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals stemmed from a misunderstanding during a traffic stop.

Although the incident initially overshadowed the tournament, Schauffele praised Scheffler's handling of the situation and expressed confidence that the charges would be dropped.

"He took it like a champ... In Scottie Scheffler fashion - he's a good dude. As soon as I saw it, I thought it was a prank, and then I saw it on the news and was like: 'Holy smokes, this actually happened!' It feels like he's going to come out OK from all this. It feels like things are going to get dropped."

Schauffele's comments reflect a sense of unity among the group of golfers, who have bonded over their shared experiences on and off the course.

Meanwhile, Scheffler, who finished strong in the final round despite the arrest, released a statement expressing his remorse and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I'm hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today," Scheffler said.

The incident has also prompted reflections on the challenges faced by professional athletes in navigating high-profile events and the role of media attention in shaping public perception.

As legal proceedings continue, Scheffler's peers have rallied around him, demonstrating the power of camaraderie and support within the golfing community.