In a recent development, high-ranking officials from the Louisville Metro Police Department have privately voiced concerns about the felony charge leveled against professional golfer Scottie Scheffler. These officials believe that the charge, which stemmed from an incident in which Scheffler reportedly attempted to drive around the scene of a fatal crash, may be excessive.

According to a source familiar with the discussions, this marks the first indication that some top brass within the police department feel the charges against Scheffler should be reduced. The incident occurred on May 17 as the 27-year-old golfer was en route to the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

At the scene of the crash, Scheffler allegedly injured a police officer who was directing traffic. He was subsequently detained, arrested, and charged with felony second-degree assault on a police officer, as well as lesser charges of third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding signals from officers directing traffic.

In a statement, Scheffler maintained that he followed instructions as directed and claimed there was a misunderstanding about what he thought he was being asked to do. Steven Romines, Scheffler's attorney, stated that they plan to plead not guilty to the charges.

During a recent meeting, multiple Louisville police officials discussed Scheffler's charges and agreed that the felony charge appears excessive based on the details of the case, according to the source. It remains unclear whether these concerns have been shared with Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell, who is prosecuting the case.

Growing pressure from local officials, including Louisville Councilmember Anthony Piagentini, has prompted calls for a reassessment of the charges against Scheffler. Piagentini, who represents the district where Scheffler was arrested, believes that the case is being overcharged and suggests dropping the charges entirely or reducing them to a minor misdemeanor.

The Louisville Metro Police Department has announced that they will hold a news conference on Thursday, where additional footage of the arrest captured by a traffic pole camera will be released. Additionally, an investigation will be conducted to determine whether Detective Bryan Gillis, whose body camera was not turned on during the incident, followed standard protocols.

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell's office is under scrutiny for its handling of the case, with concerns that the attorney has treated it differently. O'Connell attended court on Monday to argue against a requested arraignment delay, a move seen as unusual by Councilmember Piagentini.

As the case continues to develop, Scottie Scheffler is scheduled to participate in the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, with a tee time set for 1:45 p.m. ET.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.