A fatal accident occurred on Shelbyville Road near Valhalla Golf Club, the site of the 2024 PGA Championship, on Friday morning (5:00 a.m. local time). According to Louisville police, the male pedestrian was hit by a shuttle bus while crossing the road. The start of round 2 has therefore been delayed.
Tragic accident before round 2 of the PGA Championship
Here’s what police had to say about the accident: ‘At approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning, LMPD police were notified of a collision between a pedestrian and a bus. Our preliminary investigation revealed that an adult male pedestrian was crossing Shelbyville Road from southbound to northbound when he was struck by a shuttle bus travelling eastbound in the bus mandatory middle lane. As a result, the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.’
The PGA of America, which postponed the start of the second round until 14:35 German time due to the temporary road closure, later announced in a statement that the fatality was an employee who worked for a supplier to the tournament. They expressed their condolences to the families:
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Scottie Scheffler: ‘Puts everything in perspective’
In the aftermath of the accident, there was a lot of commotion because of a misunderstanding between Scottie Scheffler and the Louisville police due to the police barriers, which resulted in the two-time major winner being arrested. Despite the inconvenience this incident caused Scheffler, the new father emphasised in his statement how much the loss of a life puts everything else that happened that morning into perspective.
‘Of course, all of us involved in the tournament extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.’